Sandra Virginia Beacham, age 84, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, transitioned peacefully on December 17, 2025. Born on October 17, 1941, in Columbus, Georgia, Sandra moved with her family to Springfield, Massachusetts at the age of two, where she was raised and deeply shaped by faith, family, and community. She later made Philadelphia her home—a city where she lived, worked, ministered, and left an enduring legacy of service and love.

Sandra was preceded in death by her beloved husband, George Beacham; her parents, Tommie Lee King Sr. and Daisy Temple Welborne King; and her sister, Gwendolyn Cheeks. She leaves to cherish her memory her brother, Tommie Lee King Jr., her devoted children, Kevin Beacham, Keith Beacham and Faith Beacham Ritter; son-in-law Bentley Ritter Jr. and daughter-in-law Kelly Joel Beacham; her treasured grandchildren, Marley Beacham, Logan Ritter, Hunter Beacham, Satchel Beacham, and Sydney Ritter; She is also lovingly remembered by her extended family and dear loved ones: Lana Rivera (niece), Walter Cheeks (nephew), Pam Crowley (cousin), and in-laws Barbara Robinson , Marva Ritter, Bentley Ritter Sr.; dear friend Brenda Madera, Leslie Logan (spiritual daughter), and Leslie’s children Reginald Johnson Jr. and Taylor Johnson, along with a host of other relatives, friends, and spiritual family.

A lifelong learner and dedicated professional, Sandra earned an Associates Degree in Applied Science from the Community College of Philadelphia in 1974, a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1979, and a Master’s of Divinity from Eastern Theological Seminary in 1982. Her career as a registered nurse spanned several respected institutions, including Philadelphia General Hospital, Temple Hospital, Saunders House, and Inglis House. She also served as a school nurse for the City of Philadelphia and as a nursing instructor at Temple University Hospital, where she helped prepare the next generation of nurses. She later rose to the role of Nursing Supervisor at Inglis House, overseeing more than twenty staff members with excellence and distinction.

Pastor Beacham’s faith defined her life. She joined Christian Tabernacle Church in the late 1950s and quickly distinguished herself through leadership and service, later serving at Garden of Prayer and the Cathedral of Faith Church of the Living God. After completing her studies at Eastern Theological seminary, she was ordained by the Church of God in Christ becoming the first woman to receive that designation. She answered God’s call to establish Greater Love Chapel in 1978, the name inspired by John 15:12–13. She and her congregation faithfully served the West Philadelphia community for over 30 years.

Though she stood just 4’11”, Pastor Beacham had a larger than life presence and a powerful speaking and singing voice that commanded respect, inspired faith, and powerfully conveyed the gospel of Christ.” Driven by her passion to help women thrive spiritually and emotionally, Pastor Beacham ran women’ s conferences all over the country ministering to thousands of women over that 5-year period. In 2001, she opened Greater Love Christian Academy, serving families in West Philadelphia until health challenges led to its closure in 2006.

For more than 50 years, Pastor Sandra Beacham faithfully served the body of Christ as a leader, preacher, teacher, and sought-after speaker until her retirement in 2013. Known for her love for Christ, her love for people, her vibrant fun-loving spirit, and her commitment to excellence, she also found joy in telling a good story which made her the life of the party at every family gathering. In retirement, she fulfilled a lifelong passion for travel, visiting destinations across Europe and the Caribbean.

Sandra Virginia Beacham will be remembered as a woman of deep faith, a loving mother and grandmother, a dynamic and anointed minister, an accomplished medical professional and a selfless servant who lived a life in service to others—faithfully embodying the words she often quoted: “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. (John 15:12–13)

Sorrowfully submitted,

The Family