Beatrice Bethina Groover Steele
Beatrice “Bea” Bethina Groover Steele, age 96, of Brownwood formerly of Greenville passed away Monday, January 15, 2018, at Brownwood Regional Medical Center.
A graveside memorial service will be 1:00 PM, Wednesday, February 28, 2018 at Forest Park Cemetery under the direction of Coker-Mathews Funeral Home. Dr. John T. Tate will officiate.
Beatrice was born May 19, 1921, to Menzie Allison and Nettie Irene (Chancey) Groover in Lake Butler, Florida. Her dad was Foreman for Southern Seaboard Railroad, which moved the family to West Frostproof, Florida. After her father’s death, the family then moved to Frostproof, Florida. She attended grade school at Frostproof and graduated from Frostproof High School.
In 1942, Bea met David Addison Steele, who was an Army Air Corps 1st Lieutenant and a B-17 pilot. David was stationed at Sebring Air Base located near Frostproof. David was the love of her life; they married on August 17, 1943, in Frostproof, Florida. They had one child, Robert Hilton Steele, born November 24, 1945 in Kearney, Nebraska, where David was stationed at Kearney Army Air Base after returning from WWII.
After David left the service, they moved to Greenville, Texas in 1945. Bea joined Central Christian Church where she remained an active member. Bea and David were married for 66 years when David passed away on August 13, 2011. After David passed away, several people were instrumental in helping Bea remain in her home in Greenville; Florenzo Uribe, Emma Uribe, Christo Uribe, Memnchie Guerreau, Rick Davis, Lois Davis, David Dickerson, Lore Dickerson, and a host of wonderful friends. In 2014, she moved to Oakridge Manor in Brownwood, Texas
She was preceded in death by her husband, David Addison Steele; her parents; two sisters; and four brothers.
Bea is survived by her only son, Robert Hilton Steele of Bangs, Texas; a host of nieces and nephews; and her wonderful friends.
Bea’s wishes were to be cremated and her ashes to be mixed with David for their journey to continue.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Central Christian Church, 2611 Wesley St., Greenville, TX 75401.