c. 1892-1972
Maggie Clay Beckett founded the James H. Beckett funeral home with her husband.
Maggie was President of the New Jersey State Federation of Colored Women’s Clubs 1943-1947, as well as former Vice President. She was the first advisor to the Junior Federation. She was instrumental in presenting a pageant with the group at the 1939 Worlds Fair. She was also president of the Colored Women’s Welfare Council.
In 1945, Maggie was a member of the Second Service Advisory Committee of the Women’s Army Corps and Executive Committee of the OPA in this capacity had tea at the Governor’s mansion with Mrs. Walter Edge, governor’s wife.
Maggie was a member of the Board of the YMCA, the Bella Becketta Club, the Phyllis Wheatley Society and Bethany Baptist Church’s Ladie’s Union and several choirs.
She is listed as having designed the dresses for a 1942 wedding.
Maggie was born in Georgia, but lived in Newark by 1920 (263 Bank), though she spent some time in East Orange, she was living in Newark at the time of her death at 118 West Market.
Bibliography
“Mrs. Maggie C. Beckett, founded funeral home” Star Ledger Jul 15, 1972
“Clubwoman” New Jersey Herald News May 21, 1938
’43 Headlines, (and photo spread) New Jersey Herald News, Jan 1, 1944
“Our Heritage” New Jersey State Federation of Womens Clubs, Newark Library
“Mrs. James Beckett Guest of New Jersey’s First Lady” New Jersey Herald News Apr 28, 1945
Census records
“Women’s Welfare Group to Mark 33rd Anniversary” Belleville Times Jan 9, 1959