On May 22, 2024 in the early morning; The Lord whispered and said “Well done my faithful servant, come on home and take your rest.” Deacon Beatrice Brown Allen, affectionately known to many as “Bea”, “Mrs. Bea”, or “Aunt Bea”, age 78, was born on September 19, 1945 in Amelia County, Virginia to the late Sallie Brown and Robert Worsham. Her mother and her eventually moved to Richmond, Virginia where she was raised by her mother and late father George W. Berry, Sr. Beatrice was the oldest of 10 children.

She accepted Christ and was baptized at an early age. She was a faithful and devoted member at Good Hopewell Baptist Church, where she was also one of the first woman to be ordained as a Deacon. At Good Hopewell Baptist Church she served as a Sunday School Teacher, Sunday School Superintendent, member of the Deacon Board, a Usher, a Van Driver, and song in the choir. Her favorite song was “Precious Lord.” Ms. Bea was always encouraging and spreading the gospel, especially to the youths.

Beatrice receives her education in the Richmond Public Schools. She graduated from Maggie L. Walker High School. She was a retired Nutrition Service Worker from Richmond Public School System. While she was retired, she went back to work as a Counselor in the after-school program with Richmond Department of Parks and Recreation until she faced health challenges.

On July 31, 1966, she married the late Raymond L. Allen, Sr, and from this union was born two sons: Raymond Allen, Jr. (Lillian) and Alphaeus Allen (Katisha). They also had a bonus son, Dr. Rodney L. Berry.

Ms. Bea always enjoyed cooking, listening to gospel music and church services, doing cross words puzzles, watching Tyler Perry movies, being around her family, but her love was always being around children. She was the neighborhood babysitter on Ruffin Road and also earlier before she had her own children. She built bonds with their families, bringing their children to church to learn and teach them about the Lord.

The joy of her heart was her grandson, Raymond L. Allen, III. She loved teaching him how to cook, taking him out to shop, taking him out to eat, watching his games, and making sure he knew about the Lord. She was his first Sunday School Teacher.

To so many, she was considered the family’s Matriarch, continuing to give wise counsel if needed or even if unwanted. She always wanted things to be done in an orderly and corrective fashioned.

As a phenomenal woman, she was also a Breast Cancer Survivor and received a successful kidney transplant on July 21, 2011.

Beatrice never met a stranger. She always had a positive word or advice to give. She was loved by so many, and had many love ones and friends. She would always call or go check on them when she was driving. Among her devoted friends were: Ms. Alice Eldridge, Ms. Carolyn Fowlkes, Ms. Freda Pryor, Ms. Elmoreace Trimiew, Ms. Deloris Drumgole, Mr. Russell and Alice Brown, Ms. Evon Carson, and the best neighbors you could ask for over 30 years, Mr. Leroy and Myrtle Fletcher. {Please know all names could not be listed but you know in your heart.}

She was preceded in death by her parents, Sallie Brown Berry, George W. Berry, Sr, Robert Worsham; brother, Alfred Berry; goddaughter, Lt. Ashley N. Berry; good friend, Wanda L. Skinner.

She leaves to cherish her memories her sons, Raymond Allen, Jr., Alphaeus Allen, Dr. Rodney Berry. Two Daughters In Loves, Lillian Allen and Katisha Allen. Grandson, Raymond Allen, III. 5 sisters- Florence Starke, Bernice Berry, Georgia Berry, Frances Berry, 4 brothers- George Berry, Jr., Alvin Berry (Evelyn), William Berry, Rev. Waverly Berry (Karen), 3 brothers in laws, devoted James Ernest Allen; 5 sisters in laws, special niece, Tomeka Berry-Mason, Godchildren, Mark Tyler and Patrice Pollard; a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, other family members and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations could be made to these in her honor:

Raymond Allen, III: Educational Trust {mailing address: 3801 Florida Avenue Richmond, VA 23222} Memo: Educational Trust for Raymond Allen, III

American Kidney Fund {https://www.kidneyfund.org/}

Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation {https://www.vbcf.org/}

Funeral Service will be on June 1, 2024 at Scott’s Funeral Home Chapel starting at 12:00pm

Visitation will be on May 31, 2024 at Scott’s Funeral Home starting from 10am-7pm. Wake will be held from 5pm-7pm.

Burial: Westhampton Memorial

Repass: Good Hopewell Baptist Church {3801 Florida Avenue Richmond, VA 23222}

*the family is asking you to bring a lawn chair and changed into relaxed clothing for the repass

{weather permitting it will be inside/outside}

Livestreaming will be available.

Rev. Dr. Russell Brown, officiating; Rev. Waverly Brown, Sr., Eulogist.