Beatrice Irene Harrison Cothran

Beatrice Irene Harrison (affectionately known as “Bea”), daughter of the late Rosa and Ely Harrison, was born in Bailey, North Carolina on June 11, 1921. She departed this life on Tuesday, November 08, 2011.

Beatrice spent her childhood and school years in Wilson, North Carolina, along with her siblings, Eugene, Robert, Bill, Leroy, Carrie, Ethel, Lila, Jesse, Mattie, Ojetta and Helen. She was a member of the debate team at Darden High School in Wilson, North Carolina and from an early age was taught to love God and had an active church life.

Following high school graduation, Beatrice moved to Washington, D.C. where she lived with her sister Ojetta. She continued her education at Cortez Peters Business School and afterwards, worked at Lansburgh Department Store where she met her future husband Leroy Cothran. On December 31, 1954 they were married, and later became the parents of two daughters.

Beatrice was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, and a loyal friend. She and Leroy instilled a love for learning in their daughters and taught them the value of education. Beatrice lived life with intensity, whether she was serious or having fun. During the time that she was raising her family, she also volunteered at her daughters’ school, Bunker Hill Elementary and at Providence Hospital. Later, she worked at Joseph R. Harris, a women’s clothing store, where she was able to indulge her enjoyment of stylish clothing and accessories! Most interesting was that she worked for the National Conservative Political Action Committee where she extolled the values of the Democratic Party whenever she had the opportunity.

Beatrice was an excellent public speaker and often coordinated programs, served as mistress of ceremonies for events, and sang in the Chorus Choir at Metropolitan Baptist Church in Washington, D.C. where she was an active member for more than 35 years.

At the time of Leroy’s death in 1991, they had been married 37 years. Later, when she became ill, she moved to Raleigh, N.C., where she could be closer to other family members and her daughter Pamela, could oversee her care.

Beatrice will be missed by her devoted children: Robin Fenner and her husband Rudy, and Pamela DeLoatch and her husband, Bryan; grandchildren Courtney, Lindsay and Kelly Fenner Lottahall and her husband David, and Jordan, Jesse, Tyler and Mackenzie DeLoatch; and great-grandchild, Malani Fenner-Smith. She also leaves sisters, Helen Coburn and Jesse Thompson; one brother-in-law, six sisters-in-law and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Family will receive friends on Saturday, November 12, 2011 from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM at Crossroads United Methodist Church (43454 Crossroads Drive in Ashburn, Virginia). Funeral Services will begin at 11:00 AM at the church, with entombment to follow at Fort Lincoln Cemetery Mausoleum in Brentwood, Maryland.

Services are being handled jointly with Brown-Wynne Funeral Home in Cary, North Carolina and with Adams-Green Funeral Home in Herndon, Virginia (703) 437-1764.