Beatrice Bethea

Beatrice Mae Bethea was born on July 29, 1951 in Baltimore, MD to the proud
parents of the late Bishop Heber and Beatrice Brown, Sr. She was the fourth
girl (in the tribe) of eight children and named after her mother. The family
moved to Newark, NJ in 1952 where Beatrice (lovingly known as Bea)
received her formal education and graduated from Arts High School where
she majored in Music. Upon graduation, she took several clerical courses and
entered the workforce. After a season, Bea changed from office work to a
daycare position as a paraprofessional which she loved very much. She
enjoyed working with the "little ones."

Bea accepted Christ at an early age and was one of the founding members of
the Brown's Chapel FWB Church. She used her musical abilities by singing in
the choir and accompanying her father, the late Bishop Heber Brown, Sr., as
the Psalmist when he preached the gospel. One could hear her melodious
voice singing, "I Can Go to God in Prayer, He'll Work a Miracle, All Night,
When I Get Inside," and a host of other songs that she led. Bea was not only
named after her mother, but she was also a prayer warrior like her mother.
Bea was united in marriage on June 30, 1976 to Reverend Winston Bethea,
"The Love of Her Life." They remained committed and loyal to one another for
49 Beautiful Years! They have one godson, Michael Cooper.

Beatrice was a very loving and caring person. She had a heart for the elderly.
She would pick up seniors and take them shopping, to their doctors'
appointments and to various entertainment venues. She also enjoyed bowling
and participated in several leagues. In Bea's latter years, her health began to
fail, but through it all, you could always hear her Praising God and giving Him
Glory.

On August 15, 2025, at 12:05 am, God called Beatrice home. She will be
missed by her family and all who knew her. Preceded in death: Her sister,
Mary C. (Kitty) Smith.

She leaves to mourn: Her husband, Rev. Winston Bethea, Siblings: Mary
Cooper, Edith Smith, Betty Gordon, Bishop Heber Brown, II (Jackie), Cora
Hardy (Albert), Rev. James Brown (Marilyn), Rose Gordon (Rev. Sloan
Gordon). In-Laws: Larry Bethea (Rosalind Bethea), Demorris Bethea
(Patricia West), Gwendolyn Bethea, Jarvis Bethea (Julia Ann Bethea) and a
host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

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