Victorville mourns beloved author Beckie Lindsey: 'Unconditional love, genuine laughter'

Note to readers: As I interviewed Victorville author Beckie Lindsey about her new book, she spoke of her love of family, writing, coffee, and above all her relationship with Jesus.

Over the years, we chatted several times about faith, family, music, and the trials and tribulations of life.

I would later have the privilege to work with her daughter, Charity Lindsey, when she was hired as a reporter for the Daily Press. 

Charity would later marry former editor Matthew Cabe. The two have since left the paper.

About three years ago, I joined an army of people who would pray for Beckie after she was diagnosed with cancer.

After a valiant fight, Beckie died last month. 

As I considered writing a tribute story about Beckie, I reconsidered and reached out to Charity and asked her to write a story about her mother’s life and her going home to be with her Savior.

Rooted in faith

Beckie Lindsey, a beloved local author revered for inspirational writings and teachings rooted in faith, died in her home surrounded by family on March 27, three years after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She was 55 years old, Charity Lindsey said.

Having moved to Victorville in 2005 with her husband, Scott, and their three children, Lindsey left an enduring impact on the community through her literary works, active involvement in High Desert Church and, finally, her courageous approach to living with advanced cancer, which she candidly documented on social media.

Finding sanctuary

Rebecca “Beckie” Noelle Lindsey was born in San Bernardino on Sept. 16, 1968, her early years marked by frequent relocations across the United States and struggles to fit in. She found solace in the world of literature, where characters became companions and stories offered sanctuary.

That early affinity for storytelling eventually burgeoned into a flourishing writing career, albeit one she couldn't fully pursue until later in life, after raising her children.

In her twenties, Lindsey grappled with depression, bulimia and deep-seated insecurities that she later divulged through her personal blog, BeckieLindsey.com.

However, a transformative spiritual awakening led her to surrender her struggles to Jesus, and she discovered purpose in encouraging others in the Christian faith through her writings and relationships. Her hopeful messages and earnest prayers helped countless people embrace their inherent value and realize their potential, her family shared.

“Faith in Christ wasn’t simply an aspect of who Beckie Lindsey was. With every word and action, it was her passion and humble privilege to honor her Lord,” said her son, Chad Lindsey. “Mom was up front about her flaws—often amused by her own sarcasm and stubbornness—yet she always had an attitude of repentance and a willingness to learn. I’m so grateful to have been a recipient and witness to Mom’s legacy of steadfast loyalty, unconditional love and genuine laughter.”

'Beauties from Ashes’

Lindsey contributed writings to various online Christian publications, Bible study books, devotionals and the Victorville Daily Press newspaper. She was best known for her award-winning young adult book series, “Beauties from Ashes,” which captured the hearts of readers of all ages.

“Beauties from Ashes,” a spiritual warfare suspense series which follows the journeys of four high school girls, repeatedly ranked on the “Best Sellers” lists across various Teen and Young Adult categories on Amazon, where they’re still available to purchase.

Beautifully Flawed Productions secured the option for a screen adaptation of the series in May 2023, seeking to transform it into a dramatic series.

“Beckie was an amazing talent, gifted with the ability to write compelling stories about real struggles, while allowing us to have hope in God who protects us,” said Claire Lee, writer and producer for Beautifully Flawed Productions. “Thank you, Beckie, for letting us be a part of your book series, and bring it to life. You will always be a bright light.”

‘Helping women’

Beyond her literary pursuits, Lindsey was deeply committed to serving her community, particularly through HDC in Victorville, where she served on the board of women's ministry for more than a decade and on the church’s administrative board for two years.

“Beckie Lindsey was a woman of God who loved her Savior by serving in many capacities at High Desert Church,” said Paul Gostanian, engagement pastor for HDC. “She discipled women for over 10 years by teaching Bible studies, leading small groups and helping women grow in their faith.”

Lindsey’s passion for uplifting others in their spiritual journeys extended far beyond the church’s walls. As a dynamic speaker, she eagerly imparted her wisdom on writing and faith in various speaking engagements, workshops and author meet-and-greets.

“Beckie was such an inspiration in terms of my faith and in my writing,” said Kassidy Ridenour, 21, who joined Lindsey’s writing critique group in 2017 as a sophomore in high school and is now in the editing process of her debut novel. “If it were not for her, I never would have been brave enough to share my writing with anyone. She taught me more than I can ever give her credit for.”

Facing cancer with courage and faith

In February 2021, Lindsey was diagnosed with stage 4 high-grade serous ovarian cancer, the most common and lethal form of the disease, for which “there are no reliable screening tests,” according to the American Cancer Society (ACS).

Rarely, ovarian cancers are detected through Pap tests or pelvic exams, but only about 20% are found at an early stage. The CA-125 blood test and transvaginal ultrasounds may be offered to women at high risk, but ACS cautions that their effectiveness in reducing mortality from the disease hasn’t been confirmed.

Despite the devastating diagnosis, grueling treatments, endless hospital and doctors’ visits and increasingly painful symptoms, Lindsey faced cancer with courage and faith, chronicling her experience on her blog and social platforms, and offering words of comfort and motivation to others facing similar trials.

Living with joy and purpose

In her most recent blog entry posted in July 2023, titled “Living With An Expiration Date,” she wrote, “I will live each day with joy and purpose, counting my numerous blessings!”

“It is my greatest desire to stand before Jesus with every ounce of any gift, talent, and energy that He gave me, all used up in service to Him,” Lindsey wrote, relating to Matthew 25:23. “Until then… ‘This is the day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it!’” she finished, referring to Psalm 118:24.

Although she wasn’t able to continue blogging as her health declined, she kept sharing health updates and spiritual encouragement with her Facebook and Instagram followers.

In her last video post on March 2, taken from bed while on hospice care, she said this: “My purpose here is to let you know there’s always hope in Jesus, and that suffering is not for nothing … I just want to be able to encourage you today, in whatever you’re facing, to know that Jesus is the son of God, that he loves us and that no matter what you have going on, he wants to use it for His glory.”

Beckie Lindsey is survived by her devoted husband of 34 years, Scott; their three children, Kevin, Chad, and Charity; two grandchildren, Luke and Phoenix; and her father, Lester Pate.

She is preceded in death by her mother and brother, Linda and Scott Pate.

Beckie Lindsey’s celebration of life is open to the public. It is scheduled at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 4, in the Chapel building at High Desert Church, 14545 Hook Blvd., Victorville.

Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Victorville author Beckie Lindsey remembered for faith, courage