Beatrice D. Paul

A pause for thought:

Back in the year 1933 the average yearly income was $1,550; a new home cost $5,885; new car $605; a gallon of gas $0.18; a dozen eggs $0.21 and a gallon of milk $0.22.

But the most precious personal item of interest to Emory and Alberta (Foster) Allen occurred on December 19, 1933. It was the birth of their child, a beautiful little girl who was given the queenly name of… Beatrice Delores Allen

Beatrice grew up on her parent’s large farm in Marshall, Texas and was the second oldest of eleven children. She spent her formative years doing among other things, chasing chickens, milking cows, growing farm fresh fruits and vegetables, fishing, sewing and learning from her mother how to cook delicious meals and desserts. German Chocolate Cakes, pineapple coconut cakes and her legendary sweet potato pies were looked forward to at many family gatherings and over the years she never disappointed. She dutifully helped her parents and enjoyed being a caring big sister to her ten siblings. With her friendly, positive attitude, warm personality and delightful laugh, she made numerous friends across the years. Many are gone now, but they are not forgotten.

She attended Marshall schools which included New Town Elementary School and proudly graduated from HB Pemberton High School Class of 1955. While she was a young girl, her mother sent her to town to live and attend what she considered better educational opportunities. To help pay school expenses Beatrice lived with an elderly blind lady and assisted her when she was not at school. After high school, she also attended Wiley College and Texas Southern University in her desire to further her education. She did not neglect her spiritual growth and accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at Evergreen Baptist Church in Marshall, TX. Her dedication to her faith often included childhood gatherings of her younger sisters and brothers for impromptu Sunday School lessons which she presided over with patience and kindness.

After moving to Houston in her early twenties, Beatrice met Eddie Paul, Sr. at a local favorite hangout, Andy’s Ice Cream Shop, in North Houston where she worked as a waitress. The handsome young man began to visit for more than just ice cream cones and soda fountain drinks, and after a series of dates asked for her hand in marriage in 1956. That union produced four children (by order of birth): Andre’ Renee, Cynthia, Eddie Jr. and Albernita (deceased). She is also survived by five grandchildren: Myisha Dale (Torrey), Charisa “CC” Sutton (Tristen), Kendra Bates, Ashley Paul and Eddie Paul, III; and seven great grandchildren: Nevaeh Wilburn, Amiyah Dale, Tyler Dale, Taylan Dale, Elaina Dunson, Syair Fuller and Sayori Fuller.

Beatrice’s early years of teaching and helping others continued well into her adult life where she volunteered as a Sunday School teacher at Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Houston, Texas. She and her husband and children were active members there for many years. Beatrice loved making people feel beautiful, so she attended classes to earn her license as a beautician. For over 50 years she styled hair for many people, including family, friends and neighbors both near and far. Without realizing it, she also taught her children valuable social skills by watching her interact with her customers and having a reputation for kindness, respectfulness and fairness. To further her skills in caring for others, she enrolled in Massey Business College and received her Nursing Assistant Diploma in 1988. She practiced her beautician and nursing professions until she reached retirement age, when she then traded in her curling irons and comfortable nurse shoes for a hoe, a shovel and a rake to work in her large yard and flower gardens. She could make anything and everything grow just by putting a green twig in some dirt and giving it a little water and a pat of encouragement. Her yard was often admired by others for its welcoming trees and flowers and neatly kept grounds.

Until the progression of her illness, Beatrice enjoyed her time by gardening, daily neighborhood walks, travelling domestically, doing her Word Search puzzles, and enjoying her extended family of children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, family and friends.

After a long period of declining health, the Angel of the Lord came for our loved one at the blessed age of 90, on Sunday, July 28, 2024. Preceding her in death was her daughter Albernita Travis, her parents Emory and Alberta Allen, brother Lafayette Allen, brother Mandel DeRicky Allen, and two sisters Melba Godfrey and Dorothy Brooks. In addition to Eddie Paul, Sr. and her three surviving children, five grandchildren and seven great grandchildren, Beatrice leaves to cherish her memory siblings David Allen (Janice) of Dallas, TX; Ronald Allen (Velma) of Fort Hood, TX; four sisters Ollie Powell (Pastor Carnell, Jr.) of Los Angeles, CA; Maudine Allen of DeSoto, TX; Helen Jackson of Dallas, TX; and Australia Whitfield (Freddie) of Lewisville, TX. She also leaves behind a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, in-laws and friends.

Queen Bea, as we liked to call her, was truly blessed in this life and as a strong believer in Jesus Christ, she did not fear death and was secure in her transition into heaven. She will be missed profoundly, but we rejoice in knowing she is at rest and safe in the Arms of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Heaven is now Queen Beatrice’s home.

The memory of the righteous person is a blessing. - Proverbs 10:7

The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM on Saturday, August 17, 2024 at Brookside Funeral Home. A Homegoing Celebration will follow visitation from 11:00 AM to 12 PM that same day at the funeral home. Committal services will be held afterwards at the Brookside Memorial Park from 12:00 PM to 12:30 PM followed by a reception from 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM in the Patio Hospitality Suite at Brookside Funeral Home.