While Mr. and Mrs. Beckno resided in Maryland when they created this fund in 1997, Irene Johnson Beckno was born and raised in Piedmont, West Virginia. The established this fund in memory of Mrs. Beckno’s parents Oscar Wagoner Johnson and Bessie Elizabeth Cheshire Johnson who raised eight children. The Children’s Home Society of West Virginia and The Family Crisis Center of Keyser, West Virginia will receive annual income distributions from his endowment. The Children’s Home Society of WV has served children and families for over 115 years in the Mountain State. The Family Crisis Center of Keyser, WV, deals with problems related to domestic violence. Irene worked as a hand model and translator, but her real passion was education. She taught first grade until her retirement. John was also a former teacher and retired army major. John passed away in 2005 at 92 and Irene in 2011 at 100 years of age. Both spent their lives serving others and their legacy continues that goal.
