Lompoc native and lifetime resident, Beverly Ann Morehart Preece passed away peacefully at home on June 6, 2024. Beverly was born to Louis Winfield Morehart and Frances Eva Rankin on March 18, 1931, on South I Street in Lompoc, California. She graduated from Lompoc High School in 1949. While in High School she was an active member of Rainbow Girls, holding the office of Worthy Advisor, the highest local chapter office.
Beverly was a true Lompoc Girl. At age sixteen, she was on the cover of the October 1947 issue of the National Garden Bureau of American Seed Trade Association which was promoting American citizens to plant Freedom Gardens. One of the original posters hangs in the Lompoc Valley Historical Society Spanne House which is located on the corner of West Walnut Avenue and North L Street.
After a brief time at nursing school in Los Angeles, Beverly returned to Lompoc where she met her future husband James Rae Preece on a blind date. The two were married on December 22, 1951, and began their life in Lompoc. The family grew over the course of eight years with the birth of four daughters, Kathleen Elizabeth, Nancy Elaine, Shelley Anne, and Susan Rae.
Beverly filled her days caring for her family and with her daughters’ many activities: Participating in PTA and receiving a life-time membership; being a group leader for Girl Scout and Campfire Girls; sewing formal dresses for and chauffeuring Rainbow Girls to activities; even coaching a softball team one year. Beverly took her girls on many adventures on her own – summer camping trips to the Sierras and Refugio, driving to Canada one summer and many other day trips with a station wagon full of young girls.
Over the years, she sang in the Presbyterian and Methodist Churches’ choirs. She also gave back to the community she loved. She was an active member in the Junior Alpha Club, P.E.O, Lompoc Alumni Association, Lompoc Valley Historical (Hysterical) Society, and Quilters’ Etc. She was a founding member of her “Birthday Club,” begun 60 years ago by moms who met once a month for lunch. Members changed over the years as families moved or friends passed away, but her Birthday Club friends continue to meet each month.
Beverly was an accomplished seamstress, learning from her mother-in-law, Ida Mae Preece. She made most of her and her daughters’ clothes and then took up quilting in later years making hundreds of quilts for family members, friends, and donations for the needy in the community.
Once her girls were older, Beverly worked for the Lompoc YMCA and the Santa Barbara County Mental Health Department.
Jim and Beverly enjoyed traveling. One of her favorite trips was to Rome, Israel, and Germany. While in Germany she and Jim attended the Passion Play in Oberammergau which was the highlight of the trip. Hawaii was also a favorite place of hers. She enjoyed road trips that would sometimes last for days or weeks throughout the United States and Canada, often fussing as Dad took her on the “scenic route”. But they were never lost.
Beverly was an avid reader – reading the LA Times, Santa Barbara Newspress and Lompoc Record every morning. She enjoyed novels, biographies, history, and mysteries. She also loved doing word-search puzzles, especially in later years.
Beverly was preceded in death by her father Louis Winfield Morehart, mother and stepfather Frances Rankin-Morehart Bodger and Charles Bodger; sister Bonnie Bodger-Saul, brothers Mike Bodger and Howard (Dean) Morehart, her husband of 60 years James Rae Preece, and son-in-law James Henry Andrews.
She is survived by her four daughters, Kathleen Elizabeth Hatchell (James); Nancy Elaine Andrews, Shelley Anne McCabe (Billy); Susan Rae Luna (Ignacio). Grandchildren Shane Andrews (Claudia), Rae Preece (Cynthia); Brandon Luna (Jamie) and Cameron Luna (Marissa); Rachel McCabe Wilson (Scott) and Megan McCabe Beach (Robert); and numerous great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
Private interment was held on June 14, 2024. A Celebration of Live will be held at 1:00 pm, July 13, 2024, at the First United Methodist Church at 925 North F Street, Lompoc, CA 93436.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Lompoc Valley Historical Society, the Lompoc Alumni Association, or a charity of your choice.
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