Joseph Robert Beatty

Joseph Robert Beatty went to be with his Lord on September 18, 2023. Joe Bob, as he was affectionately known, was born to Kenneth and Mary Helen Beatty on February 10, 1941. He attended Heflin High School and majored in agricultural business at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. Joe was commissioned 2^nd Lieutenant in the Army and served in the Signal Corp. in Vietnam from 1965 to 1966. He married the love of his life, Diane, on January 23, 1965. They enjoyed a happy life together for 58 years.

Joe Bob began his life-long career with South Central Bell in Baton Rouge. He returned to his beloved hometown, Heflin, LA in 1967. The couple welcomed their first child, Lisa Helen, quickly followed by Jodi Ann. Kenneth Elgin later came to complete the family of five. Joe enjoyed raising Jersey cows with his children and later his grandchildren. He supported them all in their 4-H activities and later would establish a 4-H scholarship in honor of Kenneth and Mary Helen Beatty.

Joe Bob was an active member of the community. He was a founding member of the Heflin Lions Club and the Heflin Volunteer Fire Department. Joe was baptized in and was a life-long member of Heflin Baptist Church. He served on the Webster Parish Jury Commission. Joe was a member of the Webster Parish Cattleman’s Club, Shriners, Masons, and Dorcheat Soil and Water Conservation District. He served as a member of the Bistineau Cemetery Assoc. Joe Bob was a member of the Louisiana Forestry Association, serving as Director and Director Emeritus. He was especially proud to be selected as Louisiana Tree Farmer of the year in 2003.

Joe Bob is preceded in death by his parents, Louis Kenneth and Mary Helen Reeves Beatty. Joe is survived by his devoted wife, Helen Diane Smith Beatty. Joe is also survived by his three children, four grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. Daughter Lisa Helen Beatty Davis, wife of Jimmy Davis and their children James Zachary Davis (wife Lauren) and Leslie Helen Davis Leppert (husband Hutton) and their son, Huck Harvey Leppert. Daughter Jodi Ann Beatty Elliott, wife of Ricky Elliott and her children Anna Elizabeth Robinson Colvin (husband Jackson) and their children Jacob Hayes Colvin and Parker Ann Colvin and Emily Lynn Elliott Bryce (husband Jared). Son Kenneth Elgin Beatty and partner Corey Reuter.

Joe loved watching LSU sports, cattle farming, hunting, fishing, and growing pine trees on the land he cherished. Joe left a legacy of love and support for his family. His faith in Jesus was a stronghold in his life. The family would like to thank Dr. Scott Phillips, Whitney and staff; Hand in Hand Hospice, especially Denise; and the staff of Southern Ingenuity.

Services will be held Wednesday, September 20, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at Rose Neath Funeral Home Chapel in Minden, Louisiana with Rev. Mike Hawkins and Joe Robinson officiating. Interment will follow at Bistineau Cemetery in Heflin, Louisiana. The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 19, 2023, at Rose Neath Funeral Home in Minden.