Beulah Juanita Gatrey, born Feb. 3, 1927, a native of the Tall Pine community of Bay Minette, died Friday, Nov. 26, 2010 in Leighton.
She was the youngest child of a family that had grown 13 children. She was united in holy matrimony to Mason Gatrey on Sept. 12, 1948. To this union, 12 children were born.
She loved her job as a mother and wife, and fulfilled it to the best of her ability. She loved her church family, Union Missionary Baptist Church in Bay Minette, with all her heart and was not afraid to let any and everyone know it. This was especially true while she lived in northwest Alabama.
She worshipped with the Cave Spring Missionary Baptist Church of Tuscumbia and First Missionary Baptist Church of Sheffield. She was also a member of Rising Star Chapter No. 602 Order of Eastern Star and a member of the Mural Aide Society.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Andrew and Hattie Bell Thompson; and her husband.
Survivors include six sons, Rickey Gatrey of Leighton, Andrew (Rosie) Gatrey of Bay Minette, Ronnie (Lana) Gatrey of Birmingham, Leon (Dorie) Gatrey of Leighton, Lawrence Gatrey and Adam (Frances) Gatrey, both of Bay Minette; four daughters, Gloria Gandy of Bay Minette, Mamie (Foy) Thomas of Waterloo, Carolyn (Tommy) Carter of Forest Homes and Jacqueline McCovery of Bay Minette; two special and very kind and caring nieces, Lucinda Freeman and Vera (John) Means of Bay Minette; three devoted nephews, Herman Thornton of Mobile, Eugene (Bessie) Thompson and Sylvester (Atrice) Thompson, both of Bay Minette; one brother-in-law, George (Minnie) Sallie of Selma; 21 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; special friends of the family, Secret Sister, Janice Brown; Sunday School Teacher, Alfred “AC” Ulmer, Mary Mims (thanks for the choir robe) and Rosie McFee; a host of nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.
Visitation begins at 11 a.m. with funeral services at 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3 at Union Missionary Baptist Church in Bay Minette. Burial will follow at Mutual Aid Cemetery in Bay Minette.
Arrangements are by Thompson and Son Funeral Home, Tuscumbia.
