Obituary: Beverly Joplin

Bev was funny, kind, and generous. While raising three girls, she worked full time and was an active volunteer: a lifetime member of the PTA in California and Oregon, a member of the VFW auxiliary, a Brownie leader, Orange County Girl Scouts Chairman of cookies and calendar sales (yeah Samoas and Thin Mints), and participated with her daughters in Job’s Daughters (a Masons Auxiliary organization for youth) and in the YMCA Adventure Guides (a parent-child activities program). She also baked beautiful special occasion cakes for family and friends.

Bev and Ben, their daughters, dog and Siamese cat moved from Anaheim to Mt. Hood, Oregon, in 1975 in a Chevy Impala station wagon and a U-Haul trailer, where they bought and remodeled a 1907 farmhouse entirely with their own hands. Upon moving to the upper valley, she grew a substantial vegetable garden, learned to can and freeze fruit and vegetables. She quickly became engaged in the community, volunteering as a leader in the Parkdale Elementary PTA and managing the annual carnival fund raiser, volunteering in the local 4-H program and at the county fair. Bev worked for a brief time as an administrative assistant at Mt. Hood Meadows, then spent more than 20 years and retired from Sprint (originally United Telephone). After retiring, she spent 15 years as a volunteer at May Street Elementary, where she enjoyed working with her dear friend Kim Maddy in the front office, helping with Friday popcorn, dragon dash, annual fundraisers, and herding kids for annual photos and eye exams.

She and Ben were members of the Wy’East Whirlers, a local square dance club, and active members of the Elks. She was an avid antique collector. She and Ben had the opportunity to travel extensively, spending several winters in Mexico in their RV, taking cruises to Alaska, Caribbean, and Cuba, and touring Greece, England, Ireland, Italy and Croatia. More recently, she and her daughter, LeeAnn, road tripped from Kentucky to Oregon multiple times, visiting Niagara Falls, Yellowstone and other national parks. She loved our annual family trips to the coast and was an avid collector of shells and driftwood, sometimes bringing home logs that would barely fit in the car.

In addition to holding a full-time job, raising children, and volunteering, Bev and Ben established Gorge Electric, Inc. in 1981. She managed the books and Ben, a journeyman electrician, ran operations. The business was later transferred to their daughter, Karen, and continues to operate in both Oregon and Washington.

She is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, LeeAnn Joplin and Henry Weber of Louisville, Kentucky, Lore Joplin of Portland, Oregon, and Karen Joplin and Todd Clay of Hood River. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Sonja Joplin-Clay, Vada Joplin-Clay, and Woody Johnson (Taylor Gatti), and her great-grandchildren, Jameson and Rayna.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Benjamin Phillip Joplin, of 49 years, and her parents Jerry and Margie Janes.

The family would like to thank the staff at Parkhurst Center and Providence Hospice for their compassionate care. As per Beverly’s wishes, no service will be held.

Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson’s Tribute Center. Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.

Columbia Gorge News, Dec. 10, 2025