OUR CARING STAFF

Harley Ray "Spanky" Beck - Owner, Licensed Funeral Director & Embalmer A native of Macon, Georgia, he moved to Forsyth in 1988 to open Monroe County Memorial Chapel. In 2004 he purchased Monroe Memorial Gardens Cemetery. A graduate of the Bibb County School System, Valedictorian of Senior Class and voted Most Likely To Succeed, began his career working part time in the funeral industry in 1978, serving his apprenticeship at Hart’s Mortuary under the leadership of J. Freeman Hart, Jr., Joe Childs, Jr. and Milton Heard III. A graduate of Gupton- Jones Mortuary College, Emory School of Medicine Eye Enucleation, United States Secret Services VIP Protection School and various law enforcement schools. Mr. Beck was Chief Traffic Investigator and Traffic Division Lieutenant for The Macon Police Department, aide to Mayors George Israel and Lee Robinson. He also worked on Ronald Reagan’s re-election campaign. He is a charter member of the Forsyth Rotary Club and a member of the Forsyth Kiwanis Club. He is co-founder of Beck and Bridges Funeral Home in Gray, Georgia, selling his interest to partner Jerry Bridges, Sr. He is co-founder of Ingleside Memorial Chapel in Macon which was sold to SCI. He was co-owner of Monroe County Bonding Company. He was a former City Councilman. He is a veteran of the GA Army National Guard 48th Infantry Brigade, joining as a senior in high school. He supports and contributes to many organizations, working hard in the community to make this part of Georgia, not only his home but a better place to live and raise a family.

Mark was born in Marion, Indiana and raised in the rural, farming community of Sweetser. He learned the value of hard work as a young man, obtaining work at the local meat market as a clean-up boy at the age of 13. Following his graduation from Oak Hill High School, Mark enlisted and honorably served in the United States Marine Corps.

Mark attended the Dallas Institute of Funeral Service, graduating in December of 1997 with honors. He has made the Gila Valley his home since 1998 and has been active in the community serving on the Graham County Chamber Board of Directors, Town of Thatcher Planning and Zoning Commision, Graham County Relay for Life Committee, and is currently serving as a member of the Town of Thatcher Board of Adjustments and Appeals and the Thatcher Town Council. He is active in his church community and has served in various capacities.

Mark and his wife, Ruth (Whipple), are the proud parents of two children, Michael and Alley.