Beverly Ann Grady

Beverly Ann Grady (Anderson), age 86, of Lincoln, Nebraska passed away on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, at The Country House in Lincoln, Nebraska. She was born at home in Wilsonville, Nebraska on November 18, 1937, to John Macdonald “Mac” & Mildred (Adkins) Anderson.

Beverly and her brother, Robert Lyle Anderson, grew up in Arapahoe, Nebraska, helping work the family farm. She graduated from Arapahoe High School with the class of 1955.  Beverly attended Nebraska Wesleyan University, where she earned her Physical Education Degree in 1959 and her Masters in Physical Education from the University of Nebraska in 1966. In between, Beverly did post graduate study at the University of Hawaii and Long Beach State and taught for two years in Garden Grove, California. In 1962, she returned to Nebraska and taught physical education at Nebraska Wesleyan for seven years and then at the University of Nebraska.

Beverly was married in 1963 and had two daughters, Kelly Works and Brenda Parrish. While being a devoted and loving mother to her daughters, Beverly was also a savvy businesswoman and successfully ran a hotel management and ownership company for over 30 years. For many years, she was the Governor for Best Western Hotels in Nebraska and in the 1980s Beverly was named as one of the most successful businesswomen in the State of Nebraska.

Beverly loved the Lord her Savior and was an active member in St. Paul United Methodist Church in Lincoln for over 50 years where Beverly taught Sunday school, ran VBS and played the bells. Beverly was an avid traveler and was blessed to be able to see much of the world. She especially loved vacationing in Cancun with her children and grandchildren.

She leaves behind a large family that will remember her for the vibrant, energetic, and caring woman that she was. Survivors include: Daughter and son-in-law, Kelly and Mike Works, of Lincoln, Nebraska; daughter and son-in-law Brenda and John Parrish, Broomfield, Colorado; 10 grandchildren, Lauren (Ryan) Brinkman of Austin, Texas, Conner Works, Duncan Works, and Grady Works, of Lincoln; Ashley (Antonio) Fike of Cullman, Alabama, Nathan Parrish, Lindsey Parrish, Cameron Parrish, Jason Parrish and Matthew Parrish of Broomfield, Colorado, 1 great-grandchild Everly Brinkman, sister-in-law Lorrie Anderson of Arapahoe, Nebraska, nieces and nephews; JD (Linda) Anderson, JoDee Walbridge, Janelle (Leon) Ehrke, Jason (Lisa) Anderson.

A special thanks to The Country House, Laura Thelen and all the caregivers for the great support, care, and love they have provided Bev for the last few years of Beverly’s life.

Beverly is preceded in death by her parents, her brother Robert, nephew in law John Walbridge, and great nephews Austin John Anderson and Sam Gillen.

Funeral Services will be January 27^th, 2024, at 10:30 AM at Arapahoe Methodist Church, in Arapahoe, Nebraska. Service will be livestreamed on Arapahoe Methodist Church Facebook page. A burial will follow at Arapahoe Cemetery, Arapahoe, Nebraska. Memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association and the Nebraska Wesleyan Scholarship Fund in her name.