Port Norris Legends

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Noah Thomas Beachaump
b. April 28, 1930
d. October 13, 2012

Tom’s family moved to Port Norris from Maryland when he was a small boy. His father shucked oysters. As a child, Tom did farm work with his brother and four sisters.

After Eighth Grade, Tom started working on an oyster boat for Newcomb Brothers (Josiah and Daniel Newcomb) in Bivalve. He would become a Captains’ Mate, helping to keep the engine running. Tom also owned a small boat, on which he tonged for oysters for supplemental income. In the 1950's, Tom became an auto mechanic for Laws and Henderson’s service station in Port Norris.

Tom has been happily married to his wife Maggie since 1949. They have three children, and more grandchildren than they can count.

Tom has been very active in the community. In the 1970’s, he served on the Township’s Zoning Board, the Welfare Committee, and the Board of Education, on which he still serves. He also serves as Treasurer and Trustee for the John Wesley Church in Port Norris, and sings in their choir.

Tom still works every day, for Harbor House Oysters in Port Norris. On November 21, 2010, Tom Beachaump was honored as a Living Legend of Port Norris.

Source: Thomas Beachaump

 

Tom and family at the Legends of Port Norris dinner.

Tom presented with the Living Legend Award by John Laws.

Tom's Obituary: Published in The Daily Journal on October 17, 2012

Noah Thomas "Tom" Beachaump, 82, of Port Norris departed this life early Saturday morning, Oct. 13, 2012, at his home surrounded by his family.

Tom was born April 28, 1930, in Marion Station, Md., and was the son of the late Noah Beachaump and Ethel Turpin Beachaump. He grew up in Port Norris after his family relocated here in September 1935, following the oyster industry as a source of employment. He was educated in the Port Norris school system. Tom met the love of his life, Maggie Mae Richards. and they were married on March 6, 1949, and from this union they had three children, Joyce, Thomas and Janice. They had celebrated 63 years of marriage this year.

Tom was a longtime member of the John Wesley United Methodist Church in Port Norris since childhood and served faithfully in many ministries such as church treasurer for more than 30 years, Finance Committee, trustee and the Methodist Men's Chorus. Tom also served in his community; he was a member of the Board of Education from 1972 to 2012 and the Commercial Township Zoning Board for many years. He was honored by the Living Legends Historical Society of Port Norris in 2010. From a young man, Tom always wanted to work. He would often skip school to work on the oyster boats. He worked for Joshua Newcomb and later for Laws and Henderson, Laws and Taylor and Laws and Laws for a total of 45 years. His last employer was Harbor House. Tom loved his family. They all looked up to him for his kind spirit and his jovial and giving heart. He always enjoyed spending time with family and friends, and was a good role model for young men.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Janice Beachaump; his adopted son, Charlie; a sister, Hattie; and a brother, Linwood. He leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Maggie; a daughter, Joyce (Andrew) Chin of Millville; a son, Thomas (Roxanne) Beachaump of Neptune; a grandson, Lonnie, who resided with him; three sisters, Catherine Johnson, Attrew Gross and Nelia Smith; a brother, James Beachaump; 11 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; five great great-grandchildren; and a host of nephews, nieces and cousins.

Funeral services will be held at Shiloh Baptist Church, Memorial Avenue, Port Norris, on Friday at 11 a.m. Burial will take place at Haleyville Methodist Cemetery in Commercial Township. Friends will be received at the church from 9 to 11 a.m. prior to the services at the church.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Padgett Funeral Home, Cedarville.