Beverly Johnson Lareau

Beverly Ann (Johnson) Lareau , 86, of Gastonia, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on February 15, 2026.

Born on April 6, 1939, in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, Beverly was the beloved daughter ofFlorence (Racine) Johnson and William R. Johnson. She was preceded in death by her mother, father, sister Nancy Doris (Johnson) Drewski, and her brother, William Johnson.

Beverly shared 65 beautiful years of love with her devoted husband of 59 years, Armand RobertLareau, who survives her. Together, they built a life rooted in love, faith, and unwavering commitment to one another.

She is lovingly survived by her children: Lori (Lareau) Spelbring and her husband, Bradford Spelbring; Craig Robert Lareau and his wife, Tess (Athans) Lareau; and Kevin Armand Lareauand his wife, Rebecca (Riefer) Lareau. She was a proud and adoring grandmother to Rylee(Johnson) Furniss and her spouse, Joshua Furniss; Brent Johnson and his spouse, Viktoriya (Khachaturova) Johnson; Jared Lareau; Jason Lareau; Andrianna Lareau; Nicholas Lareau; and Aidan Spelbring. Her children and grandchildren were truly the light of her life and her greatestjoy.

A 1957 graduate of Fitchburg High School, Beverly went on to graduate from Burbank Hospital School of Nursing in 1960. She furthered her education by earning her BSE from Fitchburg Statein 1961. Beverly dedicated her professional life to nursing, serving as a Registered Nurse, nursing administrator, instructor at Burbank Hospital School of Nursing, and later as a nursing supervisor at Burbank Hospital and the Highlands Nursing Home. Her compassion, leadership, and dedication left a lasting impact on colleagues, students, and patients alike.

Above all, Beverly loved her family. With her husband faithfully by her side, she devoted herselfto raising her children and giving them the wings to fly. She was an avid reader and enjoyed watching college sports, but nothing brought her greater joy than time spent with those she loved.

One thing everyone will forever remember is the way she answered the phone, a warm, enthusiastic “Helloooooo!” that instantly brought a smile to your face. That greeting, like her love, will echo in the hearts of her family always.

Her devotion, strength, kindness, and unconditional love will live on as her legacy through the generations she so dearly cherished.

A Celebration of Life will be held on April 18, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Withers & Whisenant Funeral Home, 2916 Union Road, Gastonia, NC 28054.

Withers and Whisenant Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 2916 Union Road, Gastonia, NC (704) 864-5144 is serving the family.

Online condolences may be made at: www.withersandwhisenantfuneral.com