Bedelia, known by Moe to her brothers and sisters, was born on February 1, 1947 in Hondo, Texas. She was the oldest daughter of Antonio and Guadalupe Palacios. She was a life-long educator who dedicated her life to caring for and teaching young children. As a young girl she lived with her maternal grandmother and helped raise her younger siblings. In addition to helping with her younger brothers and sisters, she fondly shared memories of gathering her friends to teach them in front of a small chalk board. When she entered high school, she even tutored a student in math who others had given up on.
Eventually, Bedelia got married and had her own children, three boys. Her proudest family moments were having her boys and watching them grow into men. When they were young she volunteered as a homeroom Mom, led the PTA and even served a Cub Scouts Den Mother. She baked, countless cupcakes for bake sales and even constructed a full-size bear cub costume for The Colony Little League Opening Day Parade.
As her two oldest sons grew older, she was motivated to finish her own education. Her pre-test score was so high for her GED classes, that the teacher recommended she take the test immediately. She not only passed on the first try, she had the highest score in her cohort. This opened the door for Bedelia to take college courses in floristry at Mountain View College. She completed the coursework and got certified as a florist. She worked part-time for a local florist shop for a number of years. Even after she left the shop, she continued to make floral arrangements for her friends and family. It became a tradition for her to make the corsages for her sons’ dates to proms and formal dances.
Bedelia enrolled her youngest son in a Catholic Montessori pre-school where she worked as a teacher’s aide. One of the Sisters recommended to her to get certified to teach Montessori. She completed the certification and decided to open her own home daycare called Ms. Bea’s House. She distinguished herself from other similar daycares by being the only one to offer Montessori instruction. Over the years, she was responsible for teaching hundreds of young children, getting them ready to enter kindergarten. As those children grew, they began to bring their own children to be taught by Ms. Bea.
When she retired from her daycare business, Bedelia continued her calling to serve children by dedicating time to her own grandchildren. She cherished the time she spent with them. She enjoyed the time painting, making other arts and crafts or sitting to play lotería. In her later years, she would bring out some of her remaining Montessori toys to play with her great-grandchildren.
In addition to answering the Lord’s call to teach, Bedelia was a prayer warrior and spiritual leader in her family and the community. She led rosaries and prayer meetings at her house. Family and friends would always call on her for prayer or spiritual guidance. She will now be able to intercede in a more profound way.
Bedelia will be eternally remembered by her sons, Dionicio, Demetrio and Matthew. She will also be remembered by her brothers, sisters, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, extended family and her closest friends.
A memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, October 17th at 11 a.m. at Holy Cross Catholic Church in The Colony. Father Joseph will celebrate the Mass.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in memory of Bedelia can be made to the St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or the Scleroderma Foundation.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
v.1.9.5