A retired Neosho Middle School teacher passed away early Friday afternoon after sustaining serious injuries in a two-vehicle accident four miles west of Newtonia.
According to Mark Bridges, Newton County coroner, Sue Beshears, 58, was pronounced dead at 1:27 p.m. Friday at Freeman West Hospital. She was taken to Freeman West along with her husband, John M. Beshears, 59, both of Seneca, for treatment of serious injuries, according to a report by the Missouri Highway Patrol. John Beshears remained in serious condition as of Saturday afternoon, according to Bridges.
John Beshears was the driver of a 2009 Toyota that was struck by a 1993 Lincoln driven by Bobby R. Thomas, 31, who suffered moderate injuries and was taken to Cox Hospital in Monett, the report stated.
All three people were wearing seat belts.
According to the patrol, Thomas failed to stop for a stop sign at Missouri Highway 86 and Route H and pulled into the path of the Beshears’ car.
Doretta Fox, principal at Neosho Middle School and former teacher along with Sue Beshears during her tenure at NMS, said the news of Beshears death was “shocking and tragic.”
“Sue was a hard worker, and much of her lengthy teaching career she also worked part time at Wal-Mart,” Fox said. “She just retired two years ago. She was feisty and strong. It is tragic that her life has been cut short when she was finally able to retire and enjoy the fruits of her years of hard work.”
Beshears taught in the elementary school ranks before retiring as a fifth grade social studies and science teacher at Neosho Middle School.
NEWTONIA, Mo. —
