Beatrice Inez Thames

Beatrice Inez Thames was born on December 18, 1951, in Newton County, Mississippi, to the late Bertis Thames, Sr. and Winnie Lou Jordan Thames. She went to be with the Lord on August 6, 2026.

Beatrice, affectionately known as “Bea”, graduated from Boler High School in 1969 and continued her education at Jackson State University for two years. After completing her studies, she joined the workforce and was employed at Bon-Homme for 19 years. In 1993, Bea began her career at Newton County Elementary School, where she dedicated 28 years of service until her retirement in 2021.

Bea professed her faith in Christ at an early age by becoming a member of Midway Missionary Baptist Church. She served faithfully in various roles, including singing in the choir, secretary of home mission ministry, youth Sunday school teacher, assistant financial treasurer, and chairman of the kitchen committee—a position she especially cherished. Bea took great joy in cooking for her family and church members.

Bea was preceded in death by her sisters, Mattie Mae Seals, Mary Francis Needham, and Mae Ruth Gibson; and one brother, James Edward Thames.

She leaves to cherish and honor her memory a loving and devoted son, Terry “BoJack” Thames (Jerica). She was blessed with four grandchildren: Payton, Jared, Jeryn, and Terry Jeyce “TJ” Thames. Bea shared a lifetime of memories with three sisters: Ella Cleveland (James- deceased), Barbara Mapp (Algie-deceased), and Marcia (Alonzo) Ford; three brothers: Bertis (Delois) Thames, Michael (Willa Faye), and Kerby (Virgie) Thames, and a host of nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends.