Bea grew up in Westlake, LA. She loved to sing, and participated in a local radio singing contest as a child, winning week after week. On June 25, 1955, she married her loving husband, Melvin Leslie Sargent. Together they made a home, and brought into it four children: Leslie, Lisa, David, and Darren. With a full house, there was never a dull moment. Bea had so many fun stories to share about their life on Arkansas Street, many of which included animals, including their pet raccoon, McKee.
Bea and Mel were faithful servants at their local church. Mel went to be with his Lord and Savior in April of 1994. Bea filled her remaining years with travel, sewing crazy quilts, singing, decorating, walking her neighborhood, and visiting friends. She truly never met a stranger. She had so many stories to tell of her travels and the many friends she met along the way. Her home was always full and the laughter ever abundant. Bea was very proud of her family, and loved to see the reaction of others when she would tell them about her 12 grandchildren. She especially loved to host game nights at her home, both with friends and family. Some of the fondest memories were made as she and her family sat around her dining room table playing cards and dominoes. She was never missed at any of her grandchildren's events. She was so proud of them, and she let them know it. Her faith was of utmost importance to her, and she continued to faithfully serve at her church as Sunday School teacher and sang in two church choirs for as long as she was physically able.
Bea went joyfully into the arms of her Savior on October 23, 2023, surrounded by her family. We know she is singing loudly and proudly to her Lord, in her fashion staple animal print no doubt. She leaves behind so many friends and a loving family who will always cherish the time they had with her. To know Bea was to love her.
Those who preceded her to Glory were her parents, Ward and Gladys Phelps; her loving husband, Melvin Sargent; brother, Robert Phelps; brothers-in-law, Carl Spelbrink, Jimmy Sargent, and Lloyd Sargent; sisters-in-law, Margie Phelps, Gwen Phelps, Maudell Langley, and Aggie Sargent; and two great-grandchildren whom she got to meet in Heaven - Valor Grey Wharton and Baby Clark.
Those left to cherish her memory are her four children - Leslie Sargent, Lisa Sargent Garden (Rognvald), David Sargent (Donna), Darren Sargent (Stacey); her twelve grandchildren-Jamison Trouth, Erica Trouth Wharton (Nathan), Ethan Trouth, Evan Wong, Alistair Garden (Aimee), Audrey Garden, Lauren Sargent Clark (Courtner), Sarah Sargent, Landon Sargent, Zane Sargent, Aiden Sargent, and Jackson Sargent; three great-grandchildren - River Claire Wharton, Rowan Grace Wharton, and Gideon James Garden; four siblings - Harold Phelps, Amory Phelps, Rodger Phelps (Ramona), and Jan Phelps Spelbrink; along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Bea left legacy of unshakable faith, incredible wit, remarkable joy, and immense love. If there is anything she wanted to convey in life and death, it is the love of Jesus Christ.
The family will welcome friends Friday, November 3, 2023 from 5 to 8 pm at Hixson-Sulphur Memorial Funeral Home. Visitation will resume Saturday, November 4, 2023 at 12:30 pm until time of service at 2 pm. Donald Dukes will officiate with burial to follow Mimosa Pines South Cemetery in Carlyss. Pallbearers for her services will be her grandsons.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial gifts be made to the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews or Samaritan's Purse.
