Beverly Lynn "Bev" Haberman

Beverly Lynn Haberman (née Smith) was a woman who filled every room with music, laughter, and light. She entered this world on August 5, 1952, in Oak Hill, West Virginia, and though she left us on January 4, 2026, at the age of 73, the impact of her life continues to shine brightly through everyone who knew and loved her. She was born to Billy Ray and Ona Lee Smith (Bragg). Shortly after her birth, the family moved to Eastlake, Ohio, where at the age of 15 Beverly met the love of her life—her one and only—Gary Alan Haberman. They were married on October 10, 1970, beginning 55 years of unwavering love and marriage. Together, they built a beautiful life rooted in family, faith, fun, and fierce love, raising four children and becoming the proud grandparents of twelve grandchildren who were the absolute joy of Beverly’s life. Beverly graduated from North High School in 1970, where she studied cosmetology. She worked as a hairstylist for many years before returning to school. She earned an associate degree in Early Childhood Education from Lakeland Community College and went on to spend many years teaching preschool-aged children. Though she was proud of her professional accomplishments, her favorite and most treasured roles were always those of wife, mother, grandmother, and aunt .

Sweet by nature but competitive at heart, Bev was the ultimate sports fan. She loved Cleveland sports, but nothing compared to watching her own kids and grandkids play. She was a dedicated sports mom—coaching, cheering, and supporting her daughters in softball and cheerleading and her son in baseball and football. As a grandmother, she rarely missed a game, proudly filling the stands at baseball, softball, soccer, volleyball, and basketball events whenever she could.

When she wasn’t a sports mom, she was a stage mom. Beverly cherished her many years as a Mentor Top 25 Show Choir parent, forming friendships that lasted a lifetime. She absolutely adored watching her grandchildren perform on stage, beaming with pride at every note and step. Her love of music, singing, and performing was contagious—her family credits Beverly for inspiring their confidence, voices, and love of the spotlight.

After retirement, Bev and Gary moved from Mentor, Ohio leaving behind many cherished friend and memories, to Huber Heights, Ohio, to be closer to their children and grandchildren. They settled on Oakgate Court and almost immediately found not just neighbors, but a new circle of dear friends who felt like family. Bev especially cherished the lunches, laughter, and adventures she shared with “the ladies.” One of her most treasured trips was to Tennessee, where she fulfilled a lifelong dream by visiting Graceland, the home of Elvis—a memory she spoke of with great joy.

Bev truly lived out loud. She loved to sing and dance wherever she went, travel to new places, host family and friends, and gather people around her table. Cards, marbles, board games—anything that brought laughter and togetherness—were her favorites. Beverly was the ultimate hostess and believed a full house meant a full heart.

Above all else, Beverly was a warrior. At just 33 years old, in 1985, she was first diagnosed with breast cancer. She fought courageously and remained cancer-free for 27 years. When it returned, she faced it head-on once again, undergoing a double mastectomy and continuing forward with grace and strength. Nearly ten more years later, cancer reappeared, this time metastasized to her back. Even after another difficult surgery and recovery, Beverly chose joy. She embraced life fully—checking off bucket-list dreams like visiting New York City and multiple cruises with her beloved Gary and family to places like Mexico, Hawaii, Paris, London,Scotland and Ireland and others. Her resilience, courage, and determination were nothing short of inspiring.

Beverly was preceded in death by her father, Billy Ray Smith. She is survived by her loving mother, Ona Lee Smith (Bragg); her brother, Jeffery Ray Smith (Becky); her in-laws, Larry and Kathy Haberman, and Michael and Dusk Haberman; her daughters, Dawn Stamper (Jamie), Dyan Windom (Sam), and Danielle Wyen (Chad); and her son, David Haberman (Mindy). She leaves behind twelve grandchildren, each of whom she gave a special nickname to that she alone was allowed to use. She loved them beyond measure : Noah, Ashlynn, Abigael, and Annessa Stamper; Justus, Jace, and Jovia Windom; Mylee and Madison Wyen; and Chloe, Carlee, and Cassie Haberman. She is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews—Jennifer, Mark, Nicole, and Brenton Haberman (and their spouses), Jarrett and Sarah Smith—as well as cousins, great-nieces and great-nephews, and her cherished puppy, Dusty.

Beverly’s legacy is one of love, laughter, resilience, music, and family. She taught us how to show up, how to cheer loudly, how to host generously, how to fight bravely, and how to love deeply.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Beverly’s memory to the Foundation for LIVING with Breast Cancer, 3825 Edwards Road, Suite 103, Cincinnati, Ohio 45209 (digital link provided below).

Visitation will be held from 2:00pm-5:00pm, on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at Newcomer Funeral Home, 3380 Dayton-Xenia Rd., Beavercreek, where a Celebration of Beverly's Life will begin at 5:00pm.

To view the LIVESTREAM of her Celebration of Life, please click HERE.

To share a memory of Beverly or leave a special message for her family, please visit the Guestbook below.