Quitman David Beckham (July 1902 – April 1966), entrepreneur and store owner, was born in Good Springs (Bethlehem/Winn), Alabama to Caroline Williams-Beckham and Raymond Beckham. He grew up in the Bethlehem/Winn area and was a member of the Bethlehem Baptist Church. He was married to Peggie (Mrs. Piggie) Law-Beckham sometime between 1927 and 1930. The 1930 census show him as head of household living in Good Springs with his wife Piggie, a son Leroy Beckham, his mother Caroline Williams-Beckham, and a brother Arvin Raymond Beckham. He had five additional sibling, four brothers (Wayne, Quay, Rhett, Elliot) and one sister (Nora or Aunt Lacy). The 1940 census show he had moved to Mcleods, Clarke, Alabama along with his wife Piggie and son Leroy to a 40-acre plot between Charlie Pugh & Bud Pugh on Nealton and Union Road. [These 40-acre plots became affectionally referred to as the “old places” after residents of Mcleods moved closer to highway 16 and Highway 3 which was later renamed Todd Town]. The 1950 census show him as head of household still living in Mcleods with his wife Piggie, daughter Caroline (Carolyn) and son Henry. It is at this location along highway 16, i.e. Todd Town Road, next to what is now Pine Chapel #2 Baptist Church that Mr. Quitman built, opened, and ran the first black owned store in the Mcleods/Todd Town area. Mr. Quitman’s vision of a thriving country store with a dance hall, and beauty shop was not fully realized, however it is incredibly significant that against all odds he was able to become a black business owner in Todd Town, Clarke, Alabama in the 1950’s.
