Mr. Tony Beatty

October 15, 1957 - April 23, 2015

Tony DeWayne Beatty was born on October 15, 1957 to parents Eleanor and Isaac Beatty, Jr. Ike and Eleanor’s first baby, he was Sam and Ellen Wigginton’s fifth child, third son and first grandbaby. As such, Tony was the understood, accepted and reigning prince of 425 Oak Street. Under his dominion, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Wigginton were crowned Big Mama and Granddaddy for generations of grandbabies by blood and by love. Just as Tony named his grandparents, he also renamed himself. “My name was supposed to be Anthony,” Tony would say. “But tired after having me, Mother told them my name was Tony before she drifted off to sleep. If she’d been awake, my name would be Anthony.” Love in lies was a common antic of Tony. Take the “real” story behind the arrivals of his siblings and cousins. To their delight and dismay, he taunted them about their origins. With a straight face and a wink in the eye, he revealed how they were discovered in garbage cans, under filth or behind tombstones with rats nipping at their noses. As they grew older they would laughingly join him in the storytelling; storytelling that always implied how fortunate they were to be part of his family. Tony loved his family. He often spoke of his love for them via Tony- speak. Tony’s “good riddance” translated to, “Goodbye, glad you visited and I’ll see you soon.” His “whatever,” which often came with a gesture like swatting flies, meant that whatever you asked him for he would get you, especially if you were his niece or nephew. Tony loved children and they loved him. “Don’t drop me,” little kids would joyfully scream with a delightful awareness that their Tony would never let them fall as he spun them around again and again. Knowing that God would never drop him, in spite of Life’s unexpected turns, was an awareness that led Tony to express his hope in Christ at the young age of 8. Baptized at Historic Pleasant Green Missionary Baptist Church, Tony was an active youth in the church as he grew in Biblical knowledge. Tony’s knowledge base was wide and deep. From chess to computers, the Lafayette High School and Kentucky State University graduate was brilliant! A voracious reader, his interests spanned from the Left Behind Series to science fiction. He also liked movies which his loved ones brought him after his physical disability caused him to leave his employment with the State. Though he lost the movement of his limbs, Tony never lost the control of his tongue; from his taste buds to his wit. A man’s man, Tony exemplified the saying, “The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” His personal food pyramid included tuna fish sandwiches, Wendy’s burgers, Reese cups, pizza and Dairy Queen. He was quick to call his mother and sisters to ask them to bring him “this or that.” And “this or that” they brought him. On April 23rd, Tony departed this earthly life after being revived and placed on life support. As Tony waited between resuscitation and release, one could imagine him saying, “Whatever.” If his mother needed more time, Tony would wait for her peace. Whatever! Whatever the cost, God had taught him to say, “It is well. It is well with my soul. Whatever!” Tony is preceded in death by his father, Isaac Beatty, Jr.; his fraternal grandparents, Pocahontas Brown and Isaac Beatty, Sr.; Samuel and Ellen Wigginton, and uncles; Samuel and John Wigginton. Besides his mother, Tony leaves to cherish his memory six sisters, Tanya Beatty-Adams, Lynette (Rev. Tony) Laine, Lynise (Eric) Jackson, Angela (Keith) Henderson, Emma (Clarence) Chandler, Brenda Ramsey; four brothers, Bishop Samuel (Ramona) Wallace, Ronald Beatty, Sr., Rev. Alphonso Williams, Clifton (Felica) Blackburn; aunts, Rev. Barnetta (Robert) Emerson, Tassa Wigginton, segregate aunt, Mary E. Finn; special cousin, Ruth (James) Parker, a host of nieces, nephews and extended family.