February 2025 Family Spotlight: The Beatty Family
Who would have known that a blind date over 25 years ago would turn into a true love story and a beautiful family?
“Jim and I had worked for the late Congressman, Charlie Norwood, in 2001 when a mutual friend, James Hussein, suggested that we play a round of golf together”, recalls Tammy. “So we met on the Oconee golf course and after 18 holes of laughter and jokes, we had dinner at the Ritz…and were married the next year in October 2002 at my parent’s family farm in Monticello”.
Jim and Tammy started their new life together in Atlanta where they resided for seven years. As their two daughters reached school age, they were searching for the best school system near the Lake Country. “Once we found Lake Oconee Academy with a lake next door, there was no question…Reynolds would become our new home! I grew up on Lake Sinclair in the summers and I wanted to give my children the same experiences”, states Tammy.
The Beatty family has lived in Reynolds Landing since 2010. Jim is a broker for Team Arcadia and has been with the company for over 30 years. He has a passion for college football , and as a graduate of the University of South Carolina, you can likely guess his favorite team. Jim loves golfing, fishing, and bird watching - and there’s no better place to be for those three pastimes than right here in Georgia's Lake Country.
Tammy is currently a real estate investor and manages properties that she and Jim have acquired together. “Property management is a full time job, but I love every minute, especially meeting new neighbors with an idea for a new company. Anyone looking for office space, climate controlled storage, or residential rentals needs to look me up!”, Tammy adds.
Jim and Tammy have two daughters, Elizabeth and Jamie. Elizabeth is a sophomore at University of Colorado in Boulder, studying digital marketing. She graduated from LOA in 2022. At LOA, Elizabeth was very active in softball and tennis. Jamie, the youngest, is a sophomore at LOA and is active with the tennis team. Last year her team won State for the first time in LOA history.
Rounding out the Beatty bunch are a trio of pets, as described by Tammy: “We have 2 cats, Daphne and Mr. Kitty, both roadside rescues. We adopted our little Coco from the Oconee Regional Humane Society, and could not be happier - she is the sweetest! I tell anyone that if you’re considering a furry friend, ORHS has all sizes, and they are the best!”
Home is where the heart is, and the Beatty family certainly shows an abundance of heart through their involvement in local causes. “Our family motto is 'Give Back,'" asserts Tammy. “It means so much to help those in need, especially these charities in our local area. We are very active with the Oconee Regional Humane Society, where we have walked dogs in the morning, and support LOA, OPAS, Habitat for Humanity, Lake Country Players, St. Mary’s Foundation and St Jude Children’s hospital."
She smiles. “You know, it’s crazy how things tend to come full circle. Jim and I first met here in the Lake Country at Reynolds for a round of golf, and 25 years later, it’s our home! It’s a home that is always overflowing with children; they love it here, and even though sometimes it gets a little crazy, we would not have it any other way. I will miss this when we become empty nesters, but I know they’ll always come back to the lake! They love it here as much as we do. “The families here are fantastic. I have met my best friends,” says Tammy. “This is home and I couldn’t be happier. We look forward to meeting all our new neighbors and welcoming them to The Lake Country!”
