Stephen L. “Buffy” Beach III of Jackson passed at 83 years of age at his home on Sunday, August 31, 2025, from natural causes. Buffy was born on July 3, 1942, in Chicago to Aldona “Donna” Chipas Beach and Stephen L. Beach Jr.
Upon graduation from Murrah High School in Jackson, Buffy earned his undergraduate degree in liberal arts, graduating summa cum laude, and Juris Doctor (J.D.) at the University of Mississippi. He was a member of ODK, president of the student body and member of Sigma Nu fraternity. Buffy was an excellent and formidable trial lawyer with membership in both the Hinds County Bar Association and Mississippi Bar Association. Ironically and sadly, he died on the day of his retirement from 60 years of law practice. Buffy served in both the Mississippi House of Representatives and State Senate.
Buffy was a man of many talents and lived a full life. He loved nothing better than flying his plane amassing hundreds of hours in the U.S. skies over the years. His father taught him to fly when he was a teenager, and he was a skilled instrument-rated single and twin-engine licensed pilot. He was an awesome “trick” water skier in his younger days and loved his old wooden Chris-Craft motorboat. He was an Eagle Scout and a skilled marksman.
Buffy spent many hours researching and documenting his Beach family history, having tracked his family’s roots back to the 1500s in England. A source of pride was his direct lineage to Samuel Nelson, of Cooperstown, N.Y., an attorney and U.S. Supreme Court Justice, serving from 1845 to 1872. Additionally, his 2nd grandfather was the rector of Christ Church in Cooperstown, N.Y. and later rector for almost 50 years at St. Peter’s Chelsea Episcopal Church on West 20th Street in Manhattan with his great grandfather born in that church. Today, his daughter, Allison, serves on the vestry of St. Peter’s Chelsea. Alfred B. Beach’s father, Stephen Beach, was also an Episcopal clergyman in East Haddam, Conn.
Buffy’s pride and joy were his daughter and two grandchildren who called him “Pop-Pop.” Those that knew him well would describe him as “one of a kind,” and he was known for his loyalty and generosity to his friends. During the last few years when his mobility was limited, he spent many hours on the phone reminiscing and talking with his friends and colleagues.
Buffy was predeceased by his parents, uncle and aunt John and Verna Beach and cousin Barbara Beach Day of Jackson. Surviving him are his daughter, Allison Mills Beach, granddaughter Charlotte Ruth and grandson Jordan, of Union City, N.J., and mother of his daughter, Marilyn Mills Beach of Ridgeland. Survivors also include first cousins, Diana Lynn Chipas of Wichita, Kan. and Anthony James Chipas (Jeannette) of Charleston, S.C. and their children.
Service will be held at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Cathedral at 305 East Capitol Street in Jackson at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, November 22 with visitation at 1:00 and reception following at the church.
No flowers, please. Memorial donations may be sent to St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 346 West 20th Street, New York, NY 10011 (online at www.stpeterschelsea.org).
