Justin Talmadge Beshears, age 43

Justin Talmadge Beshears, age 43, unexpectedly departed this life March 20, 2024, in Cabot, AR. He was born in Shreveport, LA on October 14, 1980.

To know Justin was to love him, on the exterior you would think he was quiet but when you visited with him you better look out because some profound things were going to come out of his mouth.  When others spoke, he listened, like really listened.  He had a wicked sense of humor, loved horror films, bad B movies, music, gaming and his family and friends.  He showed up for Arkansas College football Saturdays with the family and we halfway converted him to a fan. He was a hard sleeper – standard alarm clocks wouldn’t cut it – I’m talking sonic boom alarm clocks and shake awakes were required.  He hated his picture being taken but when asked he would always oblige you. He loved the Dallas Mavericks NBA team.

He was a kind and gentle soul, endlessly patient (well with some of us – you know who you are haha) Many would think he wasn’t sentimental, but he was, and he was sensitive, but he would hide that as he didn’t want others to know when his feelings were hurt.  When he became an uncle, he was so excited, and he always bragged on his niece and nephews.   He loved his work – it was his calling.  He was dedicated, compassionate and had the most infectious laugh.  He always wanted to help others and He loved nothing more than the kids that he worked with, he treated them as equals, he never talked down to them, he got on their level and connected with them.  He loved animals and they all loved him.  When he walked in – they welcomed him and crawled or jumped all over him.  Even then he showed endless patience and gave them all the attention they wanted/demanded.  His cat, Teddy, he got from a family he worked with because they were moving and couldn’t take him – Justin said I’ll take him without hesitation (even though he was highly allergic to cats he said I’ll be ok) and ask anyone he loved that cat and would tell everyone about him.

His friend circle was small but if you were in, that was it.  You were in.

Justin and his second Cousin Noah Ashabranner have had a closeknit relationship for over 28 years.  They share many of the same tastes and sense of humor and they just got each other.  Noah said it best when he said Justin was the big brother I never had, and Noah was the little brother that Justin never had.

He respected others’ opinions even if he disagreed. He could be stubborn in some instances, and don’t you dare give him an ultimatum – he would dig those heels in.  But those are some of those unique and endearing qualities that made you love him.

His knowledge was unending on a variety of topics.  And he was serious, silly, quirky, intelligent all at the same time.

Believe it or not, Justin was a workaholic, he worked full time as a Therapeutic Family Worker at The Centers for Youth and Families and because he loved a family he had been working with for years, he told us he couldn’t imagine giving them up and continued to work on the weekends with them as a Registered Behavior Technician for Positive Reinforcement ABA Therapy.  Seven days a week – dedicated to those kids and their families.  Showing them all love, compassion and dedication.  Some may wonder what led him down this professional path.

In his own words from 2022 (while submitting a letter of support for someone): “I currently work as a therapist for Autistic children.  I have held this position for nearly 9 years, primarily servicing active military and veteran families. It wasn’t good intentions or the desire to commit altruistic acts that drove me to a social work-related profession.  Pardon the idiom, but I as well have some skeletons in my closet.  As a teenager, I struggled with substance abuse.  Due to an intervention initiated by my mother, I sought treatment at a substance abuse center in Montana.  While hiking in Montana, I suffered a skull fracture which I feel contributed to permanent changes in my life.  After returning home, I had absolutely no intention on staying clean and sober.  I was going to do what I wanted to do, despite the wishes of my loved ones.  However, the good times abusing illicit substances was running short.  One Summer evening in 1999, I experienced my first psychotic episode.  I found that I could no longer socialize or go out in public without experiencing delusions, hallucinations and extreme terror.  Out of concern from my mother, I sought treatment from a psychiatrist for my neurosis.  I received a diagnosis from this psychiatrist of schizoaffective disorder, depressive type. This is a very real and debilitating condition which I struggle with to this very day. It is very likely that it was the drugs and the skull fracture which contributed to my symptomology and psychiatric diagnosis.  These past traumas led me to change and led me to make better life choices.  Learning from mistakes and from my self-inducted misfortune, made me the man I am today.  Who amongst us has lived a life absent of mistakes or sin. On a personal level, mistakes and sin have molded me into something more, something better.  People make mistakes, but you show bravery facing the consequences and the aftermath of your actions. It is not an easy endeavor, to face your demons, your mistakes, your actions. “

Justin worked on himself daily, there were good days and days that were a struggle, but he was never ashamed of his story or the hand that he was dealt.  He fought to get through college, he earned every accomplishment, every accolade.  But what is most striking is that he knew himself and knew that through his own personal experiences he could most definitely help others and he found his calling.

He was of Methodist faith and we know without a doubt we will see him again.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather: Raymond Talmadge Craine of Lost Cane, AR. Paternal grandparents: Thurman Anderson Beshears Sr. & Geneva May Beshears of Wynne, AR.

Left to cherish his memory are his mother: Judith Beshears of Jacksonville, AR; his father: Don Beshears of Frisco, TX; his Brother Jarrett Anderson Beshears and wife Shelli, Niece: Baylee Beshears, Nephews: Blake & Bradley Beshears all of Little Elm, TX as well as a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family, friends and colleagues.

A visitation will be held to honor Justin’s life on Monday, April 1, 2024, at 1:00 pm with the funeral service starting at 2:00 pm in the chapel at A Natural State Funeral Service in Jacksonville.  Interment to follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Park in Jacksonville.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Justin’s honor to Centers for Youth and Families’ Therapeutic Foster Care program.

Online: https://www.thecentersar.com/donate (there is an in honor of box to notate Justin’s name)

Mail: PO Box 251801 Little Rock, AR 72225 (Checks made payable to Centers for Youth and Families: Memo Line: Justin Beshears

Arrangements by A Natural State Funeral Service 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas 72076.  501-983-3400. Online guestbook available at www.anaturalstatefuneralservice.com