Leslie Lynn Beams, Pastor Beams, went to be with the Lord on Monday, December 4, 2017, after a full life of service to his family, his church, and his community. He was 73 years old.
Pastor Beams was born on August 4, 1944, in Victoria, Texas, to his parents Levi Lee and Dollye Beams. He attended school in Victoria and ultimately completed a Bachelor’s in Biblical Studies from Logos Bible College. He married Roberta Guertin Beams in 1968. They lived in Victoria with Melissa and Michelle while Pastor Beams worked for DuPont, before moving to San Antonio to retire with that company after 22 years of employment. In 1976 the family welcomed Sarah, and Pastor and Roberta started a church in San Antonio. They were called to Lytle in the fall of 1986 to begin a congregation there, which eventually blossomed into the Prevailing Word Church of today.
Pastor Beams was beloved by his church family as well as the Lytle community. He was a true shepherd, teaching and guiding his flock to be their best in life. His favorite sermons revolved around the importance of never giving up. In fact, he wrote and published a book entitled Pressure: Another Quarter Mile about his extraordinary faith and perseverance. Aside from reading and studying the Bible, he enjoyed learning all he could about his heritage as a citizen of the Choctaw Nation and he loved baseball—especially the Houston Astros. Ultimately, he made it well beyond the seventh-inning stretch of life, and continued to impart his wisdom and humor well beyond his expected time.
Pastor Beams is survived by his wife Roberta Beams of Lytle; daughter and son-in-law Melissa and Pastor Dan Ytuarte of Lytle; daughter and son-in-law Michelle Grajeda and Frank Alfaro of San Antonio; and daughter Sarah Beams of San Antonio; brothers Joe Beams (wife, Betty) of Luling, Louisiana and Jesse Beams of Victoria, Texas. His grandchildren are Robert Ytuarte and wife Tanya; Jason Ytuarte and wife Brissa; and Abigail Grajeda, all who reside in San Antonio, along with great-grandchildren Dominic and Hannah Joy Ytuarte.
Pastor Beams’ life was celebrated at Prevailing Word Church in Lytle, Texas, on Friday, December 8. Visitation will began at 1 p.m., followed by a memorial service at 2 p.m. Graveside services were be held at Lytle Community Cemetery.