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Samuel Hollins Beaty
 Samuel Hollins Beaty
was born on July 3, 1894 at Riverton in Fentress County, TN, the son of Andrew Johnson Beaty and Emaline Choate Beaty, oldest of their
seven children.
At the death of his father, he assumed the duties of the head of the household at the age
of fifteen, farming and continuing his education. He attended Baxter Seminary.
Hollins, as he was called in Fentress County, enlisted in the Army at Ft. Oglethorpe,
Georgia at the outbreak of World War I. He served with distinction with the Fifth Infantry
(Red Diamond) Division in France. Shortly before the end of the conflict, he was returned
to the States to serve as an instructor in the use of the bayonet. Tapped for OCS, he was
packed and prepared to leave his camp at Fort Devans, Massachusetts for Officer Training
when hostilities ended. He continued in service of his country, enlisting in the Army
Reserve Corp and attaining the rank of Captain, until the out break of World War II, when
age precluded his serving in that conflict. His patriotism never flagged and his interest
in veterans' affairs continued his entire lifetime. He was a 50 year member of the
American Legion, Hackler-Wood Post No. 145 in Bristol, Tennessee and was a life member of
Patton-Crosswhite Post VFW 6975 in Bristol. His service to veterans and their families was
a measure of his philosophy of serving others. He was a charter member of World War I
Barracks No. 1989 in Bristol, serving as Commander and holding practically every office in
the organization. At the time of his death in January 1975 he was Barracks Service Officer
and Service Officer for World War I Department of Tennessee; also as Adjutant and
Quartermaster in 19so61. In recognition of his outstanding service, he had received a
national appointment from the World War I Veterans Association.
 A man of deep religious
conviction, he was a "practical" Christian as evidenced by his service to his
fellow veterans as a volunteer in the Bristol Veterans' Service Office for many years,
assisting in obtaining benefits for deserving veterans. Hollins was a member of Central
Presbyterian Church, Bristol, VA since 1930, and served as Superintendent of Sunday
School, deacon, and was an elder at the time of his death.
After his discharge from the Army with the rank of sergeant, he returned to Fentress
County, but in 1919 he moved to Bristol, Tennessee where he was a Railway Postal Clerk
until his retirement.
In 1920, he married Fannie Jane Stout of Bristol, Virginia. After short assignments in
Knoxville and Chattanooga, they returned to Bristol in 1926 and resided in the same home
until his death. To this union were born three children; Lois Virginia (Mrs. Clarence R.
O'Shaughnessy) of Roanoke, VA; Samuel H. Beaty, Jr. who died at the age of ten years; and
Ellaree (Mrs. John C. Philippen) of Silver Springs, MD. His six grandchildren were his
delight. They are: Patrick, Michael, Terrance and Kevin O'Shaughnessy, Hens and Leslie
Renee' Philippen (his only granddaughter).
A man of many interest, he was well known for his work in genealogical research, belonging
to the Historical Society of Washington County, VA. He had done extensive research into
the Beaty family and the Choate family, as well as other family lines, which will be
carried on by his daughter, Ellaree Philippen. He was also a member of the National
Association of Retired Federal Employees and Shelby Masonic Lodge, Bristol, VA, and past
master of King Masonic Lodge of Bristol, TN. Never content to be a mere by-stander, he was
an active participant in the affairs of all the clubs and associations of which he was a
member.
A man of discipline and temperate habits, he also made time for quiet reflection and for
pursuing his love of writing poetry. In the manner of Wordsworth, he extolled the
"old-fashioned" virtues of charity, kindness, patience, love of God, nature,
home and country.
Mr. Beaty suffered a stroke in January, 1975 and passed away quietly at Bristol Memorial
Hospital on January 29, 1975. His funeral was conducted at the Akard F Chapel by the Rev.
Dr. George Fitzgerald, pastor of Central Presbyterian Church. He rests in Glenwood
Cemetery, Bristol, TN, where he was joined in death in December, 1983 by his widow.
Poet, philosopher, patriot, and above all Christian gentleman, Samuel H. Beaty enriched
the lives of all whom he touched with his love and caring. The world is a finer place for
his having journeyed through it for his eighty years.
The following poem was written by Sam H. Beaty on May 30, 1966, a tribute to his
countrymen.
Memorial Day
Absorbed in melancholy mood today,
I stood among the Crosses where they lay:
Heroic Dead, unmindful of acclaim
Or tribute paid to their undying fame:
The men who paid the utmost price that we,
By vigilance, may e'er continue free
To hold aloft the TORCH of Liberty.
A Gold-star mother moved among the rows,
She stopped by sacred spot, where one of those
Who slept in peace and undisturbed repose,
And there she died again, -- the thousandth time.
Intrusion, then and there, seemed short of crime.
Soliloquizing on the solemn scene,
My words reverberated clear and keen:
"Hail, Buddy! WE die but once.
Know what I mean?"
by Lois Beaty O'Shaughnessy
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