D.J. Beseda

D.J. Beseda, age 66, of Penelope, passed away late Thursday morning, August 5, 2021 at Baylor Scott & White Hillcrest Medical Center in Waco. A rosary will be recited 4:00 p.m. Sunday, August 22, 2021, at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Abbott, followed by visitation until 6:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 a.m. Monday, August 23, 2021, at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, with Rev. Brijil Lawrence as celebrant. Burial will follow at Fatima Cemetery. D.J. was born March 5, 1955 in Waco, the daughter of the late Randall and Helen (Young) Ballew. She was a 1973 graduate of West High School prior to attending Baylor University where she received her Master Degree in Speech Language Pathology. On May 17, 1975 she was united in marriage to Charles Beseda in Abbott. D.J. was a member of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Abbott. She was also a member of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society. D.J. began her career with LaVega Independent School District as a special education teacher. She then worked as a teacher, Speech Therapist, coach and principal for the Abbott Independent School District for 23 years, and ended her career with Hill County SSA as an autism specialist. D.J. enjoyed going on trips with her daughter, family vacations, tending to her chickens and her garden, supporting Baylor Lady Bears basketball, and having lunch with her mafia girls. She took pride in tutoring students with learning disabilities. D.J., affectionately known to many as Gigi, loved spending time with her grandchildren and attending their sports activities. Survivors include her beloved husband of 46 years, Charles Beseda of Penelope; her children, Teresa Langford and husband Brad of Abbott, Aaron Beseda and wife Misty of Penelope, and Adam Beseda and wife Melissa of Mt. Calm; four sisters, Laura Brisco and husband Butch, Glenna Walker and husband David, Dixie Werner and husband Tom, and Clair Otto and husband Mike; a brother, Randall Ballew Jr. and wife Annette; grandchildren, Morgan and fiancé Zach, Kyle and girlfriend Kylie, Julianne "Cissy", Maebry, Charleigh, Mykha, Corie, and Corbyn "Bindi"; honorary grandchildren, Kyndal and Karmyn; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Active pallbearers are Joe Beseda, Danny Veselka, Kelly Brisco, Bob Ballew, Colby Ballew, and James Veselka. Honorary pallbearer is Kyle Langford. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Fatima Cemetery, or Autism Speaks (www.autismspeaks.org).