Xellaine Beith laid to rest after fatal accident
DESTIN -- The tortuous marks made by tires as they skid across the asphalt will fade over time, but memories of the "magnetic personality" that Xellaine Parker Beith possessed will last a lifetime.
On Friday, Jan. 16, Barbara Snow knew something wasn't right when her friend of 10 years had not made it to their usual family and friends Friday lunch date at Golden Corral.
Xellaine was en route to enjoy their weekly ritual when tragedy struck.
"Xellaine ... you will always be a beautiful lady and with me in spirit," Snow said days later.
The accident
A 2008 F-250 pickup truck with three teen passengers and a 17-year-old at the wheel was traveling east headed to Bass Pro Shop, when the truck broad sided Xellaine's beige 1997 Plymouth minivan in the Matthew Boulevard intersection as she entered U.S. 98.
The impact sent both vehicles spinning, causing a six-vehicle pileup that blocked the highway for about four hours. All but one got away without serious injuries.
From inside her RE/MAX office, Destin Realtor Andrea Farrell heard the sickening crash and went outside to see the mangled scene that made everyone pause.
Farrell said that she approached Xellaine's van and was able to hold her hand until help arrived. Though it was too late, Xellaine passed away at the scene with the warmth of another human hand on hers.
Xellaine ... mother, friend and artist
Images of the crash will resonate for a long time, but Xellaine outshines the headline that was made when the accident occurred that day.
"Xellaine was a most gracious and engaging lady," said Destinite Alan Able, president of Unlimited Horizons of the Emerald Coast.
Able became acquainted with Xellaine eight years ago when a group of people fascinated in all things metaphysical started to form.
Xellaine became the vice-president of the now 1,800-plus member organization that explores phenomena such as UFOs, spirituality, the supernatural and other metaphysical concepts.
"She contributed much to the Gulf Coast metaphysical community," Able said. "She was open minded and had an interest in a lot of things."
Her interests were many, but her family was first. Xellaine loved them all and was a care-taker for everyone. That was clear in the eulogies given at her memorial on Thursday by the women who knew Xellaine as a mother-in-law.
"All I needed to be one of them was to love Mike," said Gail Jeffery, companion to Xellaine's son, Mike.
Hearty laughter was a regular in the Beith household during late night games of dominoes.
"She laughed until her cheeks hurt," daughter-in-law Tammy said.
Xellaine's biggest joy was always her grandson, Connor. He shared with the crowd his favorite times with his grandma, like when she would make him chicken nuggets or spent hours on the computer with him.
Her legacy
Xellaine's memorial brought forth many who shared their thanks for having known such a bright and passionate woman. In her 70 years of life, Xellaine has accomplished much. She raised a close family, was a gifted painter and poet and helped enlighten hundreds of people on a new way to look at the world.
"I still have a sand dollar that she had painted on and gave to me for my birthday this year," Snow said.
Aside from being a devoted mother to her three sons, Mike, Jeff and Mitch, Xellaine was a doting wife to her husband of 54 years.
"The love that she and Wayne shared was so old-fashioned and contagious to others, it was fun to be with them," Snow said. "They were always together and always happy."
