Beatrice Scurry Hill

Obituary For Beatrice Scurry Hill

Beatrice Scurry Hill, born Beatrice Barnes on April 8, 1941, in Sanford, Florida, to Marie Morse Barnes and Thomas VanBuren Barnes Jr., departed this life on Thursday, November 10, 2022.

Beatrice spent her formative years in Sanford, Florida, and attended the segregated public schools of Seminole County, graduating from Crooms Academy High School in 1959. After high school, she enrolled at Florida Business College in Jacksonville, Florida, where she studied to become a secretary. She later took business classes in Columbus, Ohio, and business and education classes at Kentucky State University. In 1962, Beatrice married Henry Lewis Scurry, and four children were born into their union, Lisa, Regina, Ingrid and Henry Jr.

Upon returning to Florida in 1976, Beatrice and her family settled in Fort Lauderdale. She accepted Christ at an early age and joined New Mount Olive Baptist Church. Beatrice was a faithful member who enjoyed attending church and singing in the Adult Choir and the Voices of Mount Olive choir. Throughout her career, Beatrice worked as a secretary. She started at the Army Depot in Columbus, Ohio and then at Kentucky State University in Frankfort, Kentucky. In South Florida, Beatrice worked for the School Board of Broward County for eight years and was actively involved with the secretary's union.

In August 1984, Beatrice began working for the International Longshoremen's Association Local 1526. In addition to her role as a secretary, she presided as mistress of ceremonies with the Ladies Auxiliary. Beatrice prepared and designed programs for the retirees' dinners and participated in other activities for many years. She was excited when, in 2002, she became a member of Local 1526 as a longshoreman. While working with the ILA, Beatrice met and fell in love with Ellis Hill. They shared their lives for over 16 years, enjoying working and traveling together before marrying on June 6, 2006, and they were happy until Ellis' death.

Beatrice was preceded in death by her parents, Marie and Thomas Barnes Jr.; husband, Ellis Hill; son, Henry Lewis Scurry Jr.; three sisters Edna Barnes Wright, Thelma Barnes Thompson, Gladys Barnes Dixon; and two brothers, Ralph and Harold Barnes.

She leaves to cherish her memory three devoted and beloved daughters, Min. Lisa Scurry Bolden (Darrin), Fayetteville, Georgia; Regina Scurry Davis (Cedric), Pike Road, Alabama; and Ingrid Scurry Lassiter, Atlanta, Georgia; two sisters, Naomi Dixon (Eldra), Dayton, Ohio; and Verdell Johnson, Daytona Beach, Florida; and one aunt, Dorothy Hughes, Jacksonville Florida.

Mourning her death are five loving grandchildren, Brandon Colvin, Detroit, Michigan; Dr. Cierra Davis Barrett (Bryan), Appleton, Wisconsin; Cimone Davis, Montgomery, Alabama; Cedric Chandler Davis, Montgomery, Alabama; and Darryl Lassiter II, Atlanta, Georgia; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and devoted friends.