Roziel Beals

A long time local resident of Pima, Roziel Cluff Beals, passed away April 5, 2010 at her home in Pima. She was 103 years old. She was born Aug. 6, 1906, in Colonia Garcia, Chihuahua, Mexico to Heber Manasseh Cluff and Sarah Ann Weech. She lived with her family in Mexico until 1912, when the revolution (led by Pancho Villa) caused most of the families living in the "Mormon Colonies" to seek refuge in the United States. Roziel was 6 years old when her family left Mexico and returned to Pima. With the exception of a few years in Miami and Morenci, she has lived in Pima for most of her life. She attended school in Pima through the eighth grade and afterwards completed one year at the Gila Academy (now Eastern Arizona College) in Thatcher. After her schooling, Roziel worked for a few years at the Pima Hotel.

While working at the Pima Hotel, Roziel met "a handsome young man" by the name of Charles Solon Beals (aka "Chuck"). Following a brief courtship, Chuck and Roziel were married April 3, 1926. She devoted her life to being a wife and mother. Their earthly union lasted 66 years, until Chuck passed away in 1992.

In addition to being a wife and mother, Roziel enjoyed quilting, crocheting, writing poetry and doing genealogical research. Less than two decades ago, she was very well known among the elderly and the ill of her community by virtue of the fact that she spent substantial time and effort caring for and visiting with them.

She was a lifelong devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She held numerous positions in the church, including Primary, Young Women's, chorister, genealogical librarian, dance instructor, Sunday School teacher, stake missionary and Visiting Teacher. Notably, she was the first to serve as the Relief Society president for the Pima II Ward.

Roziel is survived by her four sons: Solon Beals, Farrell Beals, Alden Beals and Darrell Beals (all of whom are residents of Pima). Roziel was preceded in death by her parents; 21 brothers and sisters; her husband, Chuck Beals; and two daughters, Florine Beals and Clorine Harper.

Over the span of her lifetime, Roziel saw some amazing changes in her world. When she was a little girl, her family traveled for a week in a wagon to get to Tucson. She saw the first "picture show" in the Gila Valley, also the first car, the first radio, the first electric lights, the first airplane, etc. When she was younger, ice for their iceboxes was shipped into the Valley via cork-lined (insulated) railroad cars. Every time she saw someone talk on a cell phone, she would shake her head in absolute amazement.

The most amazing thing that Roziel Beals witnessed during her 103 years was the power for good that is passed down to the generations when a husband and wife have pledged themselves to be "one family, under God, indivisible," while giving life, love and laughter to each of their children. Roziel Beals was truly loved, admired and deeply appreciated by all who knew her. Funeral services were conducted Saturday, April 10, at the Pima LDS chapel on Highway 70, and she was laid to rest in the Pima Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Caldwell's Funeral Chapel.

Online condolences may be extended at www.caldwellfuneralchapel

Eastern Arizona Courier, Safford, Arizona, Sunday, April 11, 2010

Parents:

Heber Manasseh Cluff (1863 - 1913)

Sarah Ann Weech Cluff (1867 - 1947)

Spouse:

Charles Solon Beals (1907 - 1992)

Children:

Clorine Beals Harper (1927 - 2008)

Siblings:

Eddie Leroy Cluff (1887 - 1975)

Sarah Ann Cluff O'Donnal (1889 - 1972)

Pearl Geneva Cluff Mathena (1891 - 1981)

Maud Cluff Farnsworth (1893 - 1984)

A'delbert Cluff (1895 - 1996)

Lilian Cluff Udall (1900 - 2000)

Rella Cluff Redd (1903 - 2003)

Roziel Cluff Beals (1906 - 2010)

Oara Cluff Pace (1907 - 2001)

May Cluff (1908 - 1908)

Vearl Cluff (1910 - 1998)

Priscilla Cluff Davis (1911 - 1997)

Drusa Elaine Cluff Smith (1913 - 1941)

Created by: Barb

Record added: Apr 06, 2010

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