CHARLESTON – Sister Miriam Beall of the Sisters of Charity of Our Lady of Mercy died at the Motherhouse Sept. 17.
Sister Beall, formerly Mary Theresa Beall, daughter of George V. and Delia Gray Beall, was born Dec. 22, 1905, in Cuthbert, Ga. She was a graduate of St. Angela Academy in Aiken and entered the convent on Sept. 9, 1925. She professed her vows on March 17, 1928. Sister Beall received a bachelor’s degree in English from Misericordia College in Dallas, Pa., and studied library science at Marywood College in Scranton, Pa., and the Catholic University in Washington, D.C. She also completed courses in childcare at St. Joseph’s College, Buffalo, N.Y., and St. Louis University, St. Louis, Mo.
Sister Beall taught at Our Lady of Mercy Academy, the parochial schools in Charleston and at Bishop England High School. She was principal of Stella Maris School in Mount Pleasant from 1955-65 and St. Angela Academy nfrom 1949-55. From 1966-1990 she was the administrator of The Charleston Home for Children. Sister Miriam also served as general treasurer, general councilor and vicar general of the Sisters of Charity of Our Lady of Mercy. In 1955 she received the Woman of Valor Award from the American Diabetes Foundation.
Two nephews, two great-nieces, two great-nephews, four great-great-nieces and three great-great-nephews survive Sister Miriam.
Father James Parker recited the rosary for Sister Beall Sept. 17 at McAlister-Smith Funeral Home, downtown chapel. Msgr. Joseph Roth celebrated the Mass of Christian burial at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist Sept. 20, and Msgr. Edward Lofton gave the homily. Bishop Robert J. Baker presided over the rite of committal at Holy Cross Cemetery.