Lillis Dean Beck Obituary
Our larger than life, beautiful and famous wife, mother, and grandmother, Lillis D Beck…aka Big Lil, Mom, Darlin', Mammall, Aunt Lil, Puff the Magic Dragon Lady, The Lillionaire, Queen… was born on April 16, 1947, and sadly left us on June 21, 2023, without warning. The shock from her departure left the world spinning a little slower and the sun a little dimmer.
Lillis grew up in the Short North neighborhood of Columbus, Ohio. She ran the streets with her brothers, sisters, cousins, and friends while tormenting the neighbors. Everyone that met Lillis could never forget her…even if they tried. She was employed by Simmons Mattress Factory until retirement where her shenanigans caused a little too much fun for her & her sisters, Doris & Sandy, on the job. She was fired from there a few times but even Simmons couldn't resist begging her to come back.
Lil enjoyed spending her time traveling with the love of her life, Bill (where she made him stop at every thrift store and yard sale in Florida), tearing through Lane Bryant & TJMaxx, critiquing every cup of coffee, drinking "Old-Fashioneds," and entertaining her grandchildren that absolutely adored her even when she sang "Babes in the Woods" to them.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Ocie & Earl Jackson; sisters, Barb McCue & Doris Jackson; brothers, Gary, George, and Earl Eugene Jackson; mother-in-law, Ann Beck & father-in-law, William L Beck; sister-in-law, Kayrn Jackson; brothers-in-law, Dick Beck, Roy Duke, and Jim McCue; great granddaughter, Lucy Kemper; and nephew, Rick Duke.
Lillis is survived by her adoring husband & best friend of 40 years, Bill Beck; daughters, Jada (Scott) Vaudrin and Erica (Mark Vance) Duke; sons, Dustin (Cris) Duke and Jeremy (Stephanie) Duke; grandchildren, Jordan (Kevin) Fraley, Nick (Colleen) Kemper, Luke (Autumn) Kemper, Josie (Jake) Barstow, Mason Mayberry, Lily Vaudrin, Colin Duke, Nathan Mayberry, Eli Vaudrin, and Gavin Duke; her special "ladies," Isabelle & Hannah Fraley; great-grandchildren, Levi, Lillian, and Willow Kemper; sister, Sandra "Girlfriend" Duke; precious sister-in-law, Judy Nagell and favorite brother-outlaw, Shawn Nagell; brother-in-law, Jack Beck; and her grand-dog, Peanut (who enjoyed staring at her for hours much to her dismay). She is also survived by Bruce Springsteen, Steve Perry, Jackson Browne, Rod Stewart, Neil Young, and Kurt Russell.
Big Lil was ALWAYS the life of the party. She was feared and adored by all. We hope that you always remember Lil as the strong, beautiful, ornery, loving, and faithful woman with the colorful language that kissed, pinched, smacked, and hugged all those she loved. She was truly one of a kind and we will forever miss her. May she finally get that perfect haircut that always seemed to elude her, get some recognition for her superior Wheel of Fortune skills, and never have to tell someone, "Mammall's sorry.". We hope that David Muir hears her from Heaven when she says, "Goodnight, David," after World News Tonight.
Visiting hours will be held at Dwayne R Spence Funeral Home, 650 W Waterloo St, Canal Winchester, OH 43110, on Saturday, July 1, 2023, from 2 pm – 5 pm. Flowers may be sent there, as she always loved gifts.
