Willie Beth West

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Willie Beth West who left us on January 24th, 2025. Beth was born to parents James Turner and Tessie Lilley on August 1, 1937 in Cleveland, Texas.

Preceded in death by her parents, beloved husband James Clifford West, brothers James Buren "Boots" Turner, Collis Norman "Dobber" Turner, James Cullen "Duck" Turner and William Jefferson "Pig" Turner, and husband Ned Alexander.

Those left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Donna White and husband Leon, sons Gary Eugene and Henry Allan West; grandchildren Michelle Nwajagu and husband Nonso, Tracy Zarate, Jessica Sedwick and husband Floyd "Peewee", Amanda Pursley, Matthew Johnson, and Christina LaQue; and great-grandchildren Alexis Zarate, Davyn Sedwick, Obinna Nwajagu, and Kynzie Sedwick, as well as numerous close friends and family members.

Beth was a world traveler who embraced the richness of life with enthusiasm. She was an entrepreneur who successfully ran a bookkeeping and income tax business for 30 years in Coldspring, Texas and served as Secretary for the City of Coldspring from 1982-1995. Her dedication to public service extended further as she held the role of Justice of the Peace in Precinct One of San Jacinto County for 12 years. During this time she officiated numerous weddings and touched many lives with her fairness and compassion. 

She loved to spend time with friends and spent many afternoons at the Senior Citizens Center in Coldspring playing cards after lunch. An avid reader with an insatiable curiosity for knowledge, Beth had a gift for making everyone feel special. She never met a stranger and took genuine interest in getting to know people. Her warmth and friendliness left lasting impressions on all who crossed her path.

Willie Beth West's legacy is one of love, service and connection. May her memory continue to inspire those who knew her.

A visitation for Beth will be held Monday, February 3rd, at 10 am at the Pace-Stancil Chapel in Cleveland, Texas. The funeral service will follow at 11 am on Monday, February 3rd in the Pace-Stancil Chapel in Cleveland, Texas, with her granddaughters Michelle, Tracy, Jessica, and Amanda officiating. Beth will be laid to rest at Hayman Cemetery in Coldspring, Texas. Serving as pallbearers are Obinna Nwajagu, Greg Magee, Floyd "Peewee" Sedwick, Rodney Williams, Todd Martin, and Deric Sykes. Honorary pallbearers for the service include Kevin West and Shannon West.