LaWanda Rae Beck

LaWanda Rae Beck, of Amarillo, passed away on April 23, 2026. Memorial services will be at 2:00 P.M. on Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at Lake Tanglewood Community Church with Pastor Jon Kohler officiating. Private burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery.

Wanda was born on March 17, 1940, to Alma and Otto Swilling in Blair, Oklahoma. She graduated from Tucumcari, New Mexico in 1958 before marrying the love of her life, Jerry Beck. At the time of her passing, they had been married 66 1/2 years. They lived in Lubbock, Houston, Canyon, and Amarillo but spent most of their time in Lake Tanglewood where they built lasting relationships. Here they found overwhelming support and love from the community, especially over the last few years. Jerry affectionately refers to Wanda as the thing in his life that gives him the most pride. Together they had two children, Debbie and Rex.

While one of Wanda’s favorite mantras was “Get it over with,” one thing that she never wanted to hurry through was the love for her family. When raising kids, she was the snack mom and built the home where everyone wanted to be. She always ensured that Debbie had a great dress for events and always came up with the best reasons to give Rex a free pass. She was intentional about making her loved ones feel super special whether it was a shopping trip, her mashed potatoes, or brushing her grandkids’ hair. To this day, no one makes better mashed potatoes than Wanda.

She loved fiercely and was a hype girl for her entire family. She also wasn’t shy about letting you know who her favorites were. She loved to smile, listen to music, and dance across the floor with Jerry – there were no better dancers than the two of them together – they moved across the dance floor and just amazed everyone watching. Whether it was poolside, a vacation, or an impromptu dance party, she always brought the fun.

Her family fondly referred to her as bougie, hamptons, a baddie, or put together as she continuously supported the stock in Dillards, TJ Maxx, and Amazon. Her beauty ran deep and she worked hard her entire life to love, support, and provide guidance and care for her family and friends. Wanda had many admirable characteristics including her wit, common sense, and creativity – her daughter and son remember her making the most creative Santas during Christmas time out of Readers Digest magazines.

Wanda was strong in her faith. In the last year, it was so refreshing to see peace that surpassed understanding and the joy Wanda had in the Lord. During her final days, she constantly reassured her family that she walked with the Lord.

Wanda is preceded in death by her parents, her sister Barbara Rhinestine, and her grandson, Kamran Siddiqui.

She is survived by her husband, Jerry Beck of Amarillo; her daughter, Debbie Beck-Siddiqui and husband, Taz of Dana Point, California; her son, Rex Beck and wife, Aimee of Lake Tanglewood; her brother, Geary Swilling of Cedar Park; as well as many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.