April 16, 1952–April 14, 2026
Kenny Jean Beck of Raleigh, N.C., passed away peacefully and fearlessly on April 14, 2026 at Duke University Hospital, confident of the love of her family and her God.
Kenny was born on April 16, 1952 in Rapid City, S.D., to Kenneth S. Heatherly and Helen Ketchum Heatherly. She grew up in New Bern, N.C., having moved there in 1961 with her mother and siblings. She graduated from New Bern High School in 1970. After a long friendship (five and half years) and short courtship (six months), Kenny married James A. Beck (Jim) on July 23, 1971.
Kenny was a devoted supporter of Jim’s career, which kept them moving frequently in the early years. Nevertheless, they spent 46 of their nearly 55 years together raising their family in Raleigh. Kenny’s career life was incredibly diverse over the years and began while in high school. Her early work included radio stations, a fitness center, a roller-skating rink and an answering service. She worked in hospitals in Fayetteville and Wilson, North Carolina, in administrative positions supporting units such as the ER. She always worked the 11-7 shift so that she could care for her children during the day. In Raleigh, her entrepreneurial spirit and innate desire to serve others led her to a career as a realtor. She retired in 2000 in anticipation of the birth of her first grandchild and her ultimate calling as a full-time grandmother.
She was predeceased by her parents and by her sister, Janice Winfield.
Kenny is survived by her husband and best friend, Jim; daughter, Heather Yarur (Michael); son, Jim Beck (Kelly); sister, Betty Sellitsch; and brother, Jimmy Heatherly. She is also survived by six grandchildren, Alex Yarur, Clara Beck, Thomas Beck, C. J. Yarur, Chase Yarur and Ivy Beck.
Kenny’s biggest joy in life was her family. She saw her purpose in life as first, raising her children, then doting on her grandchildren, who loved her and called her “Meme”. She enjoyed family vacations at Atlantic Beach and spending time with Jim on their sailboat, “Still the One.”
A caregiver by nature, she was always focused on assuring the well-being of her siblings. Her compassion carried over into her volunteer work, including serving as a Stephen Minister, faithfully visiting residents of a nursing home weekly for many years. Kenny will be remembered by many for her infectious smile and caring nature.
A celebration of life service will be held at 1 p.m., Monday, April 27, at St. Philip Lutheran Church, 7304 Falls of Neuse Road, Raleigh, N.C., with a reception afterwards at the church. The service will be livestreamed and a link will be available at www.st-philip.org.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial gifts to St. Philip or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
The family wishes to express its deepest gratitude for the excellent care given Kenny by the team at Duke’s Cardio-Thoracic ICU.