CARBONDALE, Kan. – Beverly Ann French passed away Jan. 24, 2025, at Newman Regional Health, Emporia, Kan., surrounded by family. She was 83. Beverly was born Dec. 18, 1941, to James Joseph and Betty Louise (Mecham) Bomhoff in Wichita, Kan.
She spent her formative years in and around Wichita, where she graduated from Sacred Heart Academy High School.
Beverly married Louis French, Nov. 6, 1966, in Topeka, Kan. Together, they raised 10 children. She was a “mom” to countless others. She worked a myriad of jobs throughout her life before retiring from the United States Post Office. She was most recently a resident of Carbondale, Kan., where she had lived for more than 35 years.
Beverly lived her life to the fullest each and every day. Her life had many challenges, yet she conquered everything with graceful strength. Ask any of her children to name something she couldn’t fix, do or figure out, and they would be hard pressed to think of anything. Her home was always open to anyone who needed a warm meal or a helping hand. She loved sunrises, morning coffee, and dancing. She was an amazing seamstress. There wasn’t a garage sale she would pass up. Her Sunday morning breakfast buffets were legendary. She was an avid reader and passed on that love of reading. She lived for her family. They were her greatest passion.
Beverly was preceded in death by her husband, Louis French; daughter, Mary French; granddaughter, Samantha French; and four brothers, Michael, Thomas and Robert Wallsmith, and Paul Bomhoff.
She is survived by a brother, Phillip Wallsmith, Topeka; nine children, James French (Casey), Saint Robert, Mo., Dorthy Chikly, Overbrook, Kan., Dwayne French (Kimberly), Seattle, Wash., Michelle Goforth, Grain Valley, Mo., Sherri Butner (Jeff), Blue Springs, Mo., Julie French, Carbondale, Michael French, Carbondale, Gregory French (Holly), Admire, Kan., and Leita Hill (John), Lyndon, Kan.; and 26 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandchild.
A service will be 3 p.m. March 2, at Carbondale Church of Christian Fellowship, 430 Commercial St., Carbondale, KS 66414.
Lots love and prayers! She was,is,such a blessing! I will miss that beautiful smile..and always had an encouraging word for all! I will miss the texting we used to do,lol…Her memory of goodness and love lives on in her beautiful family….til we meet again..