Mildred "Milly" Beggs, 94, of Lake City passed away peacefully at home after a brief illness on Tuesday, December 16, 2025. She was born at home in Oak Park, Minnesota on February 10, 1931. She was preceded in death by her parents Claude and Pearl Bettis; her four siblings Don Bettis, Mary Louise Shoolery, Vivian Robb, and Verna Mae Bettis; and her husband Dr. John Beggs. She is survived by her daughter Dr. Kathryn Beggs of Tallahassee, son Dr. Jim Beggs of Panama City (Liz Smitherman), grandson Dr. Raley Beggs of Boston, granddaughter Wesley Anne Beggs of Tampa, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Milly Beggs, loved deeply by her family and friends alike will be remembered for her compassion, steadfast friendship, and adventurous spirit. After graduating college in Minnesota, Milly moved with her husband to the Panama Canal Zone and Columbia, Missouri before settling in Lake City in 1963. Milly spent more than 60 years as an active member of the First Methodist Church of Lake City, serving on various committees and performing as part of the bell choir. She enjoyed snow skiing into her 80s and playing tennis into her 90s. An enthusiastic reader, gardener, and bridge player, Milly was a member of many groups locally and loved by all.

A lifelong advocate for education, Milly was a member of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) and volunteered for Happy House in service to early childhood education. Milly earned her bachelor's degree in science from Hamline University in St. Paul Minnesota in 1953 and her nursing degree from Lake City Community College in 1976.  She worked as a math and science teacher for middle school students before becoming a floor nurse at Lakeshore Hospital.

In December 2019, she established the Dr. John H. & Mildred R. Beggs Allied Health Endowed Scholarship which bestows scholarship funds to students in a variety of healthcare fields at Florida Gateway College.

A funeral service for Mrs. Beggs will be conducted on Saturday, December 27, 2025 at 11:00 A.M. in the First Methodist Church of Lake City with Pastor Tim Dunavant officiating. Interment will follow in the Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery. The family will receive friends for a time of visitation on Friday evening, December 26, 2025 from 5:00-7:00 P.M. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Residing Hope, 51 Children's Way, Enterprise, FL, 32725 or Sleep In Heavenly Peace, Lake City Chapter, P.O. Box 2905, Phoenix, AZ, 85062. Arrangements are under the direction and care of GATEWAY-FOREST LAWN FUNERAL HOME, 3596 S. US HWY 441, Lake City, FL, 32025, 386-752-1954. Please leave words of comfort for the family at www.gatewayforestlawn.com.

Sleep in Heavenly Peace - Lake City Chapter
P.O. Box 2905, Phoenix AZ 85062

Residing Hope
51 Children's Way, Enterprise FL 32725