Andrew Mercer Beck III

Andrew Mercer Beck III passed away on Monday, October 1, 2012, with his family at his side. He was the son of Andrew Mercer Beck Jr of Raleigh, North Carolina and Eleanor Newsome Beck, of Ahoskie, North Carolina. Born on November 12, 1945 as the eldest of three children, he was married to Marie Norton of Brunswick, Georgia December 22, 1970. Drew and his family moved to Kingsport from Rome, Georgia in 1987, at which time he became the Executive Vice President of Marketing and Commercial Lines for Kingsport Development Company then a local, private insurance agency, now a part of BB&T Insurance Services, serving faithfully and loyally in this capacity until the time of his death. Drew graduated from the University of Georgia, with a B.A. degree in Risk Management, in 1969. Before coming to Kingsport to work for KDC, he served in the United States Navy from 1969-1973, worked for Saint Paul Insurance Company from 1973-1978 and then for Lanier, Huffman, Robinson insurance agency in Rome, Georgia from 1978-1987. Drew was proud to serve many groups and organizations throughout his professional career, including the Lions Club in Rome and the Airport Rotary Club here in the Tri-Cities. He was also a devoted member of the First Baptist Church community in Kingsport from 1987-2012.

Drew is survived by his wife, Marie; two sons Andrew Mercer Beck IV wife Rebecca and daughter Eleanor and Gregory Neil Beck; his sister Mary Gimbert, of Atlanta, Georgia husband Rick; his brother Bruce Beck, of Newburyport, Massachusetts wife Kimberley, and several beloved nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours will be on Thursday, October 4, 2012, from 5:00-7:00p.m. at First Baptist Church, Church Circle in Kingsport, TN, with the funeral service immediately following Revs. Dr. Marvin Cameron and Dr. Ron Davis, officiating. Interment will be in Evergreen Memorial Park in Athens, Georgia on Saturday, October 6, 2012, at 1:00p.m. Rev. Becky Matheny, officiating.