Her family would later recall that the neighborhood church's steeple bells were ringing Sunday morning when "Bea" was born. Tampa would become not only "Bea's" birthplace but the city where she would live most of her life.
"Bea" attended high school at Tampa's Sacred Heart Academy and was salutatorian of her 1951 graduating class. While at Sacred Heart Academy Bea was a member of the Sodality of Our Blessed Lady and a member of the Quill & Scroll. "Bea" was also a cheerleader for Tampa's Jesuit High School throughout her years at Sacred Heart Academy.
"Bea" married the love of her life her husband Donald "Don" Dee in January 1952.
After Don's service in the military he joined General Telephone Company and they bought their north Tampa home where they would live for more than thirty years and raise their three daughters. The family would be members of nearby Most Holy Redeemer Parish and their daughters attended Most Holy Redeemer Catholic School.
Bea worked many years for the Tampa Merchants Association where she was a credit counselor. At retirement "Bea" and "Don" would sell their Tampa home and build a new home in San Antonio, Florida. During this time "Bea" and "Don" decided to start a business and for many years owned and operated the very successful B & D Cleaning Service. "Bea" and "Don" would be happily married for almost fifty years until "Don" passed from cancer in 2001.
"Bea's" devotion to her faith and her love of Jesus Christ would take her around the world to visit the Holy Land and Rome. She also worked for many years with Christian Family Ministries in Clearwater, Florida.
"Bea" lived her last four years in a memory-care assisted living facility and was loved and cared for by all that knew her; especially her caretaker, Lupe Villareal who "Bea's" family considers a true guardian angel. To those who knew "Bea" during her last years they will always remember "Bea's" enduring words of "Loves 'ya, Loves 'ya, Loves 'ya.
Beatrice is predeceased by her husband Donald and her parents William Sr. and Callie Adams Wittman, two brothers William Wittman Jr, George Wittman and four sisters Edna Stimac, Elois Askew, Mary Jackson and Evelyn Manning.
She is survived by her three daughters; Donna Dee Grimes (Orange Park, Florida), husband Ed Grimes, Bonnie Dee Windom (Ball Ground, Georgia), husband Dan Windom, Laurie Dee (Spring Hill, Florida), husband Ed Garton.
Bea is survived by five grandchildren. Three granddaughters; Kerry Grimes (Tampa, Florida), Amanda Windom, Danielle Windom, Brienna Windom (Ball Ground,Georgia)
a grandson, Aaron Grimes (Colorado Springs, Colorado), wife Jacqueline.
Bea was great-grandmother to her much loved William Grimes, Jacob Grimes and Tanner Holcomb.
She was also Aunt "Bea" to her many beloved nieces and nephews.
Private services will be held for "Bea". The family is asking in lieu of flowers to please send donations to Catholic Charities of your choice or Gulfside Center for Hospice Care at Heather Hill in New Port Richey.
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