Beatrice B. Willis

Beatrice B. Willis CHESAPEAKE - Mrs. Beatrice Bowser Bowe Willis met her Savior face to face on the afternoon of Saturday, Sept. 5, 2009, after a lingering illness. She attended St. Joseph Catholic School, Booker T. Washington High School and the Norfolk Division of Virginia State College (now Norfolk State University). Mrs. Willis retired from Sentara Norfolk General Hospital after serving 20 years in the Anesthesia Department. She joined First Baptist Church Bute Street at an early age and held membership there for 74 years. At First Baptist, she held the position of chairperson of the Deaconess Ministry, a member of the Chancel Choir and Women's Chorus, Sunday school and Vacation Bible School teacher and a member of the Mamie E. Gordon Missionary Ministry. Deaconess Willis was well known for her many acts of kindness, as well as for her delicious sweet potato pies. Bea, as she was so affectionately called by those who knew and loved her dearly, was preceded in death by her husband, Deacon Walter F. Willis and a former husband, Frank J. Bowe. She is survived by a daughter, Gwendolyn Bowe Baker Spencer; son-in-law, William B. Spencer; grandson, Brian Baker, his wife Jennifer Baker; and great-grandchildren, Kiana, Toria, Annetta and Canton. A homegoing service will be held Friday, Sept. 11, at 11 a.m. in the Historic First Baptist Church, 418 East Bute St., Norfolk, with Dr. Robert G. Murray officiating. Burial will take place in Calvary Cemetery. Riddick Funeral Home is providing professional services.