The funeral for Mrs. Miriam Eunice Shearer Beckford of 148 Saluda St., formerly of Paterson, N.J., will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 2, at Church of Jesus Christ Apostolic Inc., 29-35 Haledon Ave., Paterson, N.J. The Rev. Dr. Jacques Days will deliver the eulogy and burial will follow in Laurel Grove Cemetery in Totowa, N.J.Mrs. Beckford, 72, passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2017, at CMC Main in Charlotte, N.C. after a brief illness.Mrs. Beckford, affectionately called "Mae" or Mother Beckford, was born on Oct. 20, 1944, in Kendal, Hanover, Jamaica, West Indies to Ms. Castella Dawes and Mr. Amos Shearer. She was the surviving twin and youngest of her mother's seven children.Mrs. Beckford was educated in the public schools of Jamaica, W.I., where she completed her primary and secondary education. She studied home economics and sewing at From Secondary School in Westmoreland, Jamaica. She accepted Jesus Christ as a teenager in the Wesleyan Holiness Church and later joined the Pentecostal Apostolic Church.After being accepted to nursing school, she forwent her education to become a wife and mother. She was married to Carlton Beckford Sr. for 42 years. That union produced four children – Angella, Carlene, Carlton Jr. and Garrett.Mother Beckford migrated to the U.S. in 1974. During that time, she was employed as an au pair, housekeeper and certified nursing assistant. She would often work multiple jobs, saving and planning for the future of her family. As a result of her hard work, in 1979, she was able to finance the migration of her husband and children from Jamaica to Paterson, N.J. She would go on to own two multifamily homes, run a successful home daycare and foster many children, three of whom she adopted at age 68.Upon moving to Paterson, N.J., she joined the Church of Jesus Christ Apostolic Inc. In the early 1990s, Mother Beckford became a founding member of the CJC Apostolic Inc. in East Orange, N.J. under the leadership of the late Elder Linburn Farquharson. There, she was ordained a Missionary and served as Sunday School Superintendent. She functioned in the ministry of helps. She cultivated hospitality and would often open her home to family, friends and strangers alike. Mother Beckford demonstrated resourcefulness by helping others to find gainful employment. She learned how to "fish" and took pride in helping others reach their greatest potential.In 2013, after having resided in Paterson, N.J. for 39 years, Mother Beckford relocated to Chester to be cared for by her eldest daughter and family because of health challenges. She became an affiliated member of Adams Chapel AME Church, where her son-in-law, the Rev. Jacques Days, served as her pastor. She is currently a member of St. Paul AME Church in Lancaster.She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers and four sisters.Mrs. Beckford is survived by her former husband, Carlton E. Beckford Sr.; children, Angella B. Days (Jacques), Carlene Anderson (Frederick), Carlton Jr., Garrett, Herman, Micah and Elijah and Patrick Miller (Gail); a nephew whom she claimed as a son; three maternal brothers, Hubert (Veronica), Stafford and Walter (Hazel); four paternal brothers, Uriah (Mable), Alfred, William, Clinton and Leon Shearer; 16 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and nieces, nephews, numerous family, friends and church family who will miss her dearly. See you in Rapture, dear one!Any memorial may be sent to Carnie P. Bragg Funeral Home, 295 Rosa Park Blvd., Paterson, NJ 07501.King's Funeral Home, 135 Cemetery St., Chester, is in charge of local arrangements.