Florida Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

by Chet Jordan
Hastings and Norma Bean celebrated their 80th wedding anniversary with their church family at North Lake Church, Leesburg, Florida, on July 2, 2011. Much of their married life was spent providing care and housing for relatives and church friends who were in need.
Born on December 22, 1909, in Marysville, Tennessee, Hastings was a fourth-generation Adventist. When his parents moved to Avon Lake, Ohio, he met Norma Buswell, and they were married in St. Mary County, West Virginia, on July 3, 1931. Norma also became an Adventist in 1936. “I’ve always believed the Lord sent Hastings to my door,” says Norma, 99. “I don’t think anyone I know has had a happier marriage.”
After the wedding, they lived in Avon Lake for the next 54 years. Hastings’ entire working career was with Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company. Upon retirement, the Beans moved to Eustis, Florida.
Their daughter, Carol Fife, says, “To think they have lived all these years together, gotten along so well, and shown such love between them is amazing.” Also included in their family are five grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren.