Richard Arlen Beam Sr.

Richard Arlen Beam Sr., 85, of Kannapolis, passed away on December 20, 2019 at Tucker Hospice House.

Richard was born on September 10, 1934 in Cabarrus County to the late William George Beam and Gracie Dancy. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Donahue Beam in 1995.

Richard worked at Cannon Mills for 33 years as a weaver in Plant#1 and #4. He and his father built houses all over the Kannapolis area. He was a member of the Jehovah’s Witness faith. He was a former president of the Kannapolis Coin Club. He also was a member of the NRA and enjoyed watching football. He was famously known for cooking catfish in the community.

Those left to cherish his memory include his beloved wife, Carolyn P. Beam; sons, Richard “Rick” A. Beam Jr. and Larry W. Beam; daughters, Bettina Beam and Tambra Brown; sister, Mary Jane Royal; brother, William George Beam Jr.; 12 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, December 22, 2019 at Whitley’s Funeral Home from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held on Monday, December 23, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Kannapolis with Brother Richard Willis officiating. Burial will immediately follow the service at Carolina Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Richard’s memory may be made to Kingdom Hall, 811 Delane St., Kannapolis, NC 28083.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.whitleysfuneralhome.com.