Vivian Beech

Lula Vivian Williams Beech, a beloved member of the Chatom and Washington County community, was born on September 13, 1920, in Chatom, Alabama. She was the second oldest of eight children and spent much of her childhood in the small town of Fruitdale, Alabama, where she attended school and graduated from Fruitdale High School in 1939.

During her high school years, Vivian discovered a lifelong love of basketball. In the 1930s, she played for Fruitdale High School, and also for Delchamps-under an assumed name, as she was not permitted to play for both teams at the same time. Her passion for the game never faded. Even in her later years, she enjoyed shooting a few hoops and never missed an opportunity to see the Harlem Globetrotters. In Mobile, at the age of 93, she proudly made a basket after meeting the team-one of many moments that reflected her enduring spirit.

In 1939, Vivian moved from Fruitdale to Chatom for what was intended to be a two-week job at Richardson's Restaurant. That short-term plan turned into full-time employment at the café, along with work at Richardson's Ice Plant. She fondly recalled serving early morning breakfasts to servicemen during World War II, brewing countless pots of coffee, and discovering her lifelong love of Hershey chocolate bars. Vivian often joked that coffee, chocolate, and ice cream were the secrets to her longevity.

Vivian later began a career in banking and worked for almost 17 years at Chatom State Bank as an Assistant Cashier. She loved telling the story of transporting bank deposits to Mobile armed only with her car and a pistol-until her parents learned of the arrangement and insisted it end.

On September 12, 1953, Vivian married Sid Beech. Though the couple had no children of their own, they opened their hearts and home to countless individuals over the years, helping raise and support many within the community. Together, Sid and Vivian made lasting contributions through education, scholarships, and charitable giving, supporting organizations such as the March of Dimes, Easterseals, Boy Scouts of America, University of Mobile, American Red Cross, United Way, and many others.

Vivian remained actively involved well into her later years, supporting Washington County Wounded Warriors, Chatom Log A Load for Kids, Chatom Hope Outdoors Hunt, the NRA, NWTF, Cattlewoman's Association, Treasure Forest Association, American Cancer Society, and countywide school programs including Junior Miss (Distinguished Young Women) scholarships and Washington County 4-H. She also served on the Board of the Washington County Conservation Club and assisted with youth hunts on the Martha Annie Jordan lands.

A lifelong lover of nature and the outdoors, Vivian and her late husband dedicated their lives to forest and wildlife conservation. It was once said that she had turpentine running through her blood-a remark Vivian delighted in and wore as a badge of honor, as it so perfectly reflected her deep-rooted connection to her timberland. In recognition of her stewardship, Vivian received the Helene Mosley Memorial Treasure Forest Award at the age of 95 and was named Alabama Tree Farmer of the Year in February 2016.

Vivian was known for her strength, passion, and determination. Even into her nineties, she hunted deer and turkey, spent countless hours in her "shootin' houses," and loved riding through her forest on a four-wheeler. Truly one of a kind, she also cherished celebrating life's milestones and most recently celebrated her 105th birthday surrounded by family and friends.

Lula Vivian Williams Beech was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Sid Beech, who passed away in 2005; her parents Herbert W. Williams and Willie Mae Reynolds; and siblings, James A Williams, Myles Williams, Herbert Williams, Jr., Lillian Williams Older, and Jasper D. Williams.

She is survived by her siblings, Kate Williams Martin and Nolan L. Williams, along with numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members, and generations of countless friends and community members whom she considered family.

Visitation and funeral services for Ms. Vivian will be held Thursday, January 8, 2026, at Chatom Baptist Church in Chatom, Alabama. Visitation will begin at 10am with the funeral service to follow at 12pm. Interment will follow the funeral service at State Line Cemetery in State Line, Mississippi.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Hope Outdoors, Chatom Chapter, reflecting Vivian's love of hunting and lifelong commitment to conservation, service, stewardship, and community. Memorials may be mailed to Hope Outdoors, PO Box 1421, Chatom, AL 36518.