Beatrice (Bea) Wood Mitchell went to be with the Lord on June 5th at the age of 75 after suffering complications from Hemochromatosis. Bea was born in Charity, VA, raised in Collinsville, VA. and moved to Martinsville, VA upon marrying the most handsome man she had ever seen -Terry Mitchell.
Bea loved God, family and friends. After graduating from Bassett High School, she held the roles of Office Administrator, Financial Secretary and Executive Assistant at Broad Street Christian Church, First United Methodist Church, and the family business, Mitchell-Howell Ford. However, she believed her most important roles were that of a loving wife and nurturing mother – she was immensely proud of the adults her children became and adored her five grandchildren.
Another great love of hers was cooking. She began cooking in restaurants at the age of 12 and pursued a life-long culinary passion, sharing her love of food with her fellow congregants at First United Methodist Church as Co-Chef and one of the founders of the Soup Kitchen. She also served as Church Librarian and Superintendent of Children’s Education.
Bea enjoyed growing herbs and was an avid bridge player with many dear friends - who no doubt loved her contagious laugh as much as her family did. In January of this year, she and her husband, Terry, celebrated 54 beautiful years of marriage.
A devoted wife, mother and grandmother who will be missed beyond belief, she is survived by her husband, Terry Mitchell: children, Kelli Mitchell-Digges and her husband Sasha Digges, Jr., Christopher Mitchell and his wife Holly Mitchell; and grandchildren Mitchell & Bryce Digges, and Jack, Madeleine and Brynn Mitchell. Bea is preceded in death by her parents, Gifford M. Wood and Era Thomas Wood; brother, Gifford M. Wood, Jr.
The family will receive friends at McKee Stone Funeral Home on Saturday, June 9, 2018 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
A funeral service will be held at the First United Methodist Church, 146 East Main Street, Martinsville, VA, Sunday, June 10th at 2:30 PM. A reception will be following in the Fellowship Hall. The burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church Food Bank, 146 East Main Street, Martinsville, VA 24112. Arrangements are by McKee-Stone Funeral Home. Online condolences may be expressed at www.collinmckeestonemartinsville.com.
