William Bee Threets

.William Threets was born on December 28, 1933 to Henry and Maude Brown in Clarendon, Arkansas. She was the "baby" of the family and was raised with two sisters, Henryetta (Brown) Smith and Amanda Lee Brown. She was named after her Uncle William, but was affectionately known to everyone as 'Bee'.
When Bee's parents passed away during her childhood, it was her Grandmother Amanda Jackson who raised her and her sisters. We all have our roots and understand that there are special people who God puts into our lives to touch us. For Bee, her grandmother was her pillar of strength, and she often spoke of the lessons and memories she had with Grandmother Amanda. She learned how to love, how to be strong, how to persevere, and how to be the best she can be. Bee's vision for her life came from the wisdom and guidance of her grandmother. She recently said this to her grandkids, "My grandmother would say, 'You are meant to be somebody. You are meant to see the world. Get out there and don't be afraid. Remember Bill, you ain't no wimp.' I want you guys to know this: Your Grammy ain't no wimp."
Bee received her education from public schools in Clarendon. She loved to learn, read and socialize. She met the love of her life, Wilbert Threets, in high school and the greatest love story began. Their very personal and beautiful romance grew and they were united in marriage on March 28, 1953 in their hometown. Wilbert was her favorite person to be with during their 60 years of marriage. She missed him greatly after he passed away and longed for his presence for the rest of her life. Wilbert was drafted into the US Army in April, 1953 and she soon migrated to San Francisco, California while he completed his military service. Bee and a girlfriend traveled by bus, from Clarendon to San Francisco while pregnant with her first child, Shearon. The story of Bee's journey from Arkansas to San Francisco as a young Black woman in the midst of the Jim Crow era is a story of courage, determination and boldness.
Wilbert and Bee had six children: Shearon Ann, Kerry DeWyane, Karen Angela, Marco Revell, Felicia Nicole, and Arnold Levert. Bee loved being a mother and made sure that her children were educated and given a firm spiritual foundation. Her home was a place of love and she always made sure her children looked presentable, were well cared for, and knew how to put their best foot forward. While her dreams of being a wife and mother were being made real, Bee would say that she lacked one thing - though she did not know it at the time. It was her salvation and faith that would make her life complete.
Her husband and some of her lifelong best friends became Christians months before her, and their prayers for "The Buzzing Bee" were heard by the Lord. In 1960 she accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. She described her coming to faith as, "having her burdens lifted and experiencing joy beyond words"! Her love for her Lord Jesus Christ would radiate from her for the rest of her life. She was involved in many ministries at San Francisco Christian Center (SFCC) and Maranatha Christian Center (MCC) such as singing in the choir, teaching Sunday school and new member's classes, counselling married couples and singles, and was considered a great source of encouragement to multiple pastors and their spouses. What everyone admired about her was her demonstration of faith lived out in her love for others, her genuine concern about their souls, and her daily intercession for the people around her. The many lives she touched cannot be counted. Her intuition, life experience, and willingness to take the time to connect with others resulted in her leading many people to Christ. She was a prayer warrior. Her undeniable and unwavering understanding that the Lord can do anything gave those around her the comfort that, "He may not be there when you wanted, but He was always right on time".
Bee was a memorable person and was known for a great many things. She was honest, sincere, had a strong mind, and commanded respect. She was beautiful, classy, had a good fashion sense, and loved putting together an outfit. She was known for her culinary skills, such as her sweet potato pies and especially her peach cobbler which was passed down to her from her Grandmother Amanda. She loved to cook and gather her family around the table for holidays and special events. She loved traveling with her husband Wilbert and the Lord allowed them to see and experience many countries with friends and family. Her sense of humor could lighten up any room and her laugh and smile were contagious. She was excellent at keeping in touch often with her grandchildren by way of texts and calls - while always including at least the red heart bee prayer hands and kiss emojis. Bee is, and always will be, the heart and culture of her family. Her love for God's people and the Word of God was obvious. This is the legacy that she leaves with us.
Bee was a one-of-a-kind, genuine and insightful Christian woman. Her family thanks the Lord for her in countless ways. We are so proud of her, and will miss her so very much. For now, we agree with her in one of her favorite verses from Psalm 103:1-5: "Praise the Lord my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all His benefits - who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's."
Her faith inspired our hearts for Christ and created a culture of love that will be carried on for generations to come. For now, we thank the Lord for bringing William "Bee" Threets into our lives to touch us and change us forever. We know He welcomed His daughter into His kingdom with a "Well done, my good and faithful servant" and remember this - she is the happiest she has ever been.
At the time of her passing, Bee was the oldest living member of her family. She was preceded in death by the love of her life, Wilbert, her eldest son Kerry, her two sisters Henryetta and Amanda, and her parents and grandparents. She leaves to cherish her memory, children; Shearon Threets, Karen (Benjamin) Guerrero, Marco Threets, Felicia Threets, and Arnold (Tessa) Threets; daughter-in-law Charlotte Threets, grandchildren; Norvelle, Siobhan, Brandon, Gabrielle (Nate), Mychal, Jonathan, Nickolas, Harold, Leah (Ro), and Amanda; great-grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Isaiah, William (Logan), Josiah, Jaicob, Jaiden, Javan, and Gavin; nieces and nephews, Alice Smith Richardson, Joanette Smith Payne, Joel Smith, cousin Dr. Denys Crain-Gully, and many Threets and Brown family members, and lifelong friends.