Beatrice Thomas

Beatrice Russ Thomas, affectionally known as “Ms. Bea, Aunt Bea, Bea, Granny and Nacho” was born on September 7, 1936, in Marianna, Florida. On Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at Trevecca Healthcare Center in Nashville, Tennessee, she transitioned to her eternal resting place.

Her walk with Christ began at an early age at Holyneck Missionary Baptist Church in Campbellton, Florida. She loved to share memories about her home in Florida, growing up in the early days going to church, Sunday School and attending church revival meetings.

She received her education in the Jackson County Public School System where she graduated from St. Paul High School. Upon graduating from high school, she moved to Panama City, Florida and there she met her Husband, Roy Thomas Sr., who was employed at Tyndall Air Force Base on a job that relocated them to different states. They moved to Nashville in 1960, where they raised their three children.

She joined Mt. Gilead Missionary Baptist Church when Reverend F. M. Corder was the pastor. She attended faithfully and served as an usher on the Senior Usher’s Board until her failing health.

She was employed with Trevecca Health Care Dietary and Metropolitan Public Schools in the Food Service Department where she retired. She loved to cook and make her favorite dishes. She would make desserts and share her meals with family and friends. She especially loved cooking for one of her nephews because he wasn’t so picky and always enjoyed her holiday chitterling dinner.

Beatrice has a large military family which she was very proud of, but most of all she loved and tried to support all her family. She was always willing to help others whenever she could. She proudly took on the role of the family matriarch.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Roy Thomas Sr; her parents, Bertha Mae Russ Lewis and stepfather Flavius Lewis; and sister Betty Lewis Daniels.

Beatrice leaves a lifetime of love and memories with: two daughters; Ida Veronica Thompson and Bertha Mae Thomas and son, Roy Thomas, Jr. (Tamika); two sisters, Lola McKinnon and Alice Barnes (Tommy); brother-in-law, Wallace Thomas (Margaret) and sister-in-law Erma Kelly; grandsons, Dearrieus Thomas, Kyle Thomas, Dezmond Thomas, Marquez Thomas, Royce Thomas and Xayvion Thomas; granddaughter, Katorah Thomas; great grandsons; Dearrieus Thomas Jr., Roman Thomas and Kaden Thomas; nephew, Alex Courtney Johnson; step children; Arlette Lynn, Jenny Harris, and Reginald Lanier (Debbie); along with a loving host of other nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition, a dedicated niece, Debbie Ann Bowers; cousins, Theresa Fowler Cowan (Len), Anner Lynch (Leroy) and friend Jenny Watson. Special Mt. Gilead Missionary Baptist Church family, Nashville, Tennessee; Pastor, Dr. Breonus M. Mitchell, Sr., Deaconess, Doris Petway and Deaconess, Deborah Thompson.