Beatrice Tole

Bea, well known as Nanaw to most, was born July 29., 1930, to Joe and Edna Nava. As the firstborn of a young sharecropper's family, Bea helped raise her 11 brothers and sisters and never stopped. She deeply loved her family and knew that raising kids took a village, so she continued raising children by helping her siblings raise their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, be they blood-related or bonus family members.

All who encountered Nanaw were wrapped in her love and guided by her nurturing spirit. Bea's humor, frankness, wisdom, and warmth drew diverse individuals to her sphere. Friends and family found Bea to be a great sounding board for ideas, hopes, dreams, venting about issues, finding one's way, and oftentimes became an individual's biggest cheerleader. She spent her life as a trusted advisor to family, friends, local businesses, and elected leaders. Bea was well versed in the human condition and ensured all she encountered understood the basics of the golden rule: Treat others as you are to be treated." She expected everyone to make this world a better place. Those who spent time with Bea were left feeling as though anything was possible.

Bea's upbringing in the dust bowl and Depression-era Oklahoma and Texas formed her unique grit and strength to face head-on the injustices of bigotry, racism, sexism, and work/life balance. She met challenges head-on, including becoming a married, single parent when her husband became seriously ill.

Bea used her skills and life experiences to make a living for her family and allow them to live their dreams. One of Bea's successful enterprises was running a childcare service and giving working parents a wonderful and safe place to have their children Bea is preceded in death by her father, Joe Franklin Nava, and mother, Edna McCurley Nava; brothers, Julian Nava, Kenneth Nava, Frank Nava, Jimmy Nava, and Billy Nava; Sister, Stella Nava Eavenson; husband, William Tole; Sons, Kenneth Wayne Tole (Marie Tole Bintliff) and Michael Dale Tole, and daughter, Linda Tole Black.

Bea is survived by her children - Barbara Nichols (Jack), Allen Tole (Vickie), and Connie Tole; 11

Grandchildren - Kenny Tole (Stacia Hicks), Wyatt Tole, and Shelly Tole Barnes (Travis), Tiffany Merder (Jeff), Amanda Tole, Larry Donges, Lori Black Little (Drew), Michael Black, Lisa Rohmer Kindle (Jeff), Tyler Rohmer (Emily), Brady Toly (Brandi Mitchell); 14 Great Grandchildren - Will Tole, Maddie Tole, Baleigh Tole, Isabella Tole, Kaleb Selman, Jacob Selman, Tinley Merder, Allison Little, Jay Little, Joseph Blake Jones (Mackenzie), Maddison Donges Price (Josh), Garrett Donges, Alaina Kindle, and Shelby Tole; 5Great Great Grandchildren - Brycelyn Selman, Kooper Selman, Harley Jones, Beau Jones, and Everlee Price. Bea is also survived by her siblings - Thelma Nava Jackson, Delmar Nava, Beulah Nava Rodriguez, Bobby Nava (Sheryl), and Ricky Nava (Tracy).

The Tole and Nava family would like to thank the hospice nurses and chaplain at Healing Hands for their care and support of Be and her family. If you would like to donate in lieu of flowers, the family requests you send your donation to Healing Hands in memory of Bea Tole, 901 Indiana Ave #665,

Wichita Falls, TX 76301.

Bea's life will be celebrated on Saturday, May 6, at 10:00 am, at Crestview Memorial Park, Wichita Falls, TX.