Mary Elizabeth Fore Beene, 92, passed away on July 27, 2026, at her residence.
She was born on February 17, 1934, to James and Oree Fore and spent most of her growing up years in Point Enterprise.
After graduation from Mexia High School, she worked as a bookkeeper and legal assistant.
On April 30th of 1960, she married Billie Mac Beene, assuming the role of a rancher’s wife, which she had never envisioned.
Shortly after marriage, 3 young boys, Billy Glenn, Steve, and Robert Eubanks joined them and Billie’s parents on the ranch where they helped raise the boys. She was affectionately known to them and many around the community as Aunt Beth.
Beth was not only a loving wife but incredible business partner as a bookkeeper for Beene Farms, which later evolved into Beene & Eubanks Cattle for over 50 years.
Uncle Billie was known for his creative business deals that sometimes would leave Aunt Beth bewildered.
Nonetheless, she supported every move he made as his partner, a partnership which has shown to be fruitful over the years.
Beene & Eubanks Cattle has continued to grow tremendously over the last 100 years, now operating on its fourth generation greatly due to the hard work and dedication of Aunt Beth and Uncle Billie.
Billie and Beth greatly enjoyed traveling with her sister Annie V. and husband Jack, and later Grandon. They spent many miles traveling across the U.S. to attend and enjoy Blue Grass music festivals.
One of Aunt Beth and Uncle Billie’s favorite holidays was the 4th of July, where they would have yearly celebrations at their camp house hosting up to 200 family and friends for food and music.
On Thanksgiving, their home was a gathering spot for each’s extended family where it was full of generations of love and laughter. They also enjoyed hosting family reunions for both sides of their extended families.
Over the years, Aunt Beth wore many hats within the community. In 1974, she and Uncle Billie purchased Freestone Supply and later opened Teague Supply. While operating Freestone Supply, she was the postmaster of Freestone Postal Services and kept books for South Freestone Water Supply.
She was a dedicated member of the First United Methodist Church of Teague where she headed the Christmas program to help children in need.
She and Billie also served as one of the founding members of the Freestone 5F Club where families gathered to share a meal and play 88 once every month.
They were also instrumental in starting and maintaining an ongoing music club at the Freestone Community Center that meets once a month to sing and play music together.
They were the definition of hospitality and always loved having you eat at their table.
In her final days, Aunt Beth was surrounded by those close to her, she will be greatly missed by her loved ones and throughout the community.
Over the last several years she was surrounded with wonderful caretakers who cared for Aunt Beth as their own. The family wants to extend a special thank you to her caregivers and Reliant Hospice for their support during her final moments.
She is survived by her niece Carol Ann Dawley and husband James, nephews Marcus Sheffield and wife Sheryl, Kent Sheffield and wife Connie, Billy Glenn Eubanks, Steve Eubanks and wife Fay, and Robert Eubanks and wife Melanie.
She is also survived by her great-nieces, Andrea Rousell and husband Jeff, Rachel Ehlers, Megan Jones and husband Wesley, Morgan Nicholas and husband Grant and great nephews, Todd Dawley and wife Leslie, Colby Sheffield and wife Melinda, Jordan Sheffield, Mason Sheffield, and Robert Eubanks and wife Ronda. Aunt Beth also loved and cherished her 12 great-great nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Billie M. Beene, parents, James Robert and Oree Stephens Fore, sister Annie V. Fore Sheffield-Britt, brother, Burnis W. Fore and wife Harvey, brothers-in-law, Jack Sheffield and Grandon Britt, mother and father-in-law Roy and Alma Beene, sister-in-law, Mary Eubanks, and nieces Kay Eubanks and Donna Eubanks.
Funeral services for Mary Elizabeth Fore Beene were on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. at the Union Cemetery Chapel.
Bro. Marcus Sheffield officiated. Interment followed services at Union Cemetery.
Visitation was held on Tuesday, July 28, with the family present from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Bowers Funeral Home in Teague.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Union Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 242, Teague TX 75860.
