"Ted and Family, I am so sad to hear of Bea's passing. You are a wonderful family and will always be in my thoughts and prayers. Claude Mitchell,Sr. ( Former member of Holy Angels Parrish)"
In loving memory of
Bell "Bea" Beatrice Davis
March 24, 1940 - June 27, 2018
Celebrating The Life Of Bell Beatrice "Bea" Strayhorn Davis
Sunrise March 24, 1949 Sunset June 27, 2018
Our loving, feisty, caring wife, mother, grandmother and sister, Bell Beatrice "Bea" Strayhorn Davis, was born on March 24, 1940 to the late Claude and Gertrude Strayhorn in Indianapolis, Indiana. She was the seventh child of ten children. She accepted Christ at a young age and later joined Holy Angels Catholic Church.
Bea received her elementary education at Wendell Phillips School #63 and later attended James E. Roberts when she was 11 due to developing rheumatic fever. Bea was a member of the first integrated class at Washington High School where she graduated in 1958. After graduating, she worked at General Hospital, formerly Wishard and later attended and graduated from Indiana Business College.
Beatrice met the love of her life in 1958. Teddy and Beatrice were united in holy matrimony on April 20, 1963, while he was serving in the army at St. Bridget's Catholic Church in Indianapolis. To this union two daughters were born, Shalonda Lynn and Stacia Lynettte.
Bea worked at Blue Cross Blue Shield for 29 years, retiring in 1995. After retirement and because she could not sit down, she had two jobs meeting and greeting others at the Charter Bus Company and Crown Hill Funeral Home. She left Crown Hill Funeral Home shortly after her first grandson was born in 2002.
She loved her church and volunteered on several committees. She served at St. Vincent de Paul, on the bereavement committee for thirty-five years, as a Eucharistic Minister, assisted with the annual Mardi Gras celebration, served on the financial committee, and as the ticket collector at the famous Holy Angels festivals for many years. Her giving spirit was also evident as she worked on the Thanksgiving and Christmas basket committee. She remained very active at Holy Angels until her health deteriorated. She believed in helping people, loved to shop and cook. Her famous dishes of cornbread dressing and macaroni and cheese will truly be missed. Bea's life was her grandsons. She was very active in their lives and they affectionately called her "Mama".
She was preceeded in death by her parents; her three sisters, Beulah Sides, Norma Jean Campbell, Brenda Ann Polk; and three brothers, Louis, James (Nit), Donald (Buck) Strayhorn.
Beatrice closed her eyes to eternal rest at the age of seventy-eight years, three months and three days on Tuesday, June 27, 2018, surrounded by her family. She leaves to cherish her memory her devoted husband of fifty-five years Theodore T. Davis (Teddy); daughters, Shalonda L. Davis Fernandes (John) and Dr. Stacia L. Davis Hill (David); three grandsons, Zane A. Hill, Zyon A. Hill, Isaiah T.J. Fernandes. Sister; Dorothy Murrell, Brothers Neale Strayhorn (Bessie), and Elder Claude Strayhorn (Valerie). A host of godchildren, nieces, nephews and other relatives.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Holy Angels Catholic Church Building Fund.
Tributes
"I will truly miss my sister/friend, Bea. She was a wonderful, caring person and a good friend. My condolences to Ted and her daughters. May God bless and strengthen you. Love you "
"Rest in Heaven beautiful women of God, My condolences to the Bell family I want you to know that Bea was a great inspiration to so many people . Ted I wanted to say I loved you and your wife both very welcoming people and your wife will be missed"
"My condolences to the family of Bell Davis. Ours loving Heavenly Father has given us the wonderful assurance that we can see our loved ones again by means of a resurrection to an earth transformed into a beautiful paradise. (Acts 24:15). We can always rely on the God of comfort to help us endure any hardships or difficulties, especially the loss of a dear loved one. "
"To the Family of Mrs. Bell "Bea" Beatrice Davis, So sorry to learn about the loss of your Dear Loved One, Mrs. Bea. Please know that so many people share your grief with you to help you through this difficult time of sorrow. Please accept my deepest condolences as we await the time when Christ Jesus will awaken all those who have fallen asleep in death; including your Beloved, Mrs. Bea. (John 11:41-44)"
"To Mr. Davis, Stacia and Shalonda and your entire family: I was so sorry and saddened to hear about the passing of Mrs. Davis. She will be truly missed. I remember when I first met her way back in 1985. She was very so gracious and warm then and continued to be over the past several decades. Stacia and Shalonda, you know my heart goes out to you both. Continue to stay Blessed and be there for one another as you always do. ~ Royce E. Thomas (Monique). "
"Teddy. Shalondz and Stacia, I am so sorry for your lost. Bea was one of the "Golden Girls." I treasured our friendship. She was like a big sister to me. Love me some her. She will truly be missed. May God Grant you peace, comfort, strength and encouragement."
"To the Davis Family! Worked with Bea at Anthem. She was a wonderful person and I considered a friend. Praying for your family that the peace of God which passed all understanding be with you on the coming days.Laura White."
"To Teddy and the entire Family, you're in our prayers and we celebrate a life well lived. I worked with Bea at Anthem for a number of years. She was fun loving and would provide advice like a big sister versus a colleague; always making certain we understood our employee benefits and rights. We felt like extended family, because she cared so and expressed love and concern not only toward her family, but us as well. Although we didn't see each other frequently in recent years, it was always a warm reunion when we did. Now we look forward to the day she greets us with a warm reunion at heaven's gate. We thank God for the gift He gave us.....our friend Bea Davis."
"To the Davis Family, We are so sorry for your Lost. The Barnett?s will always hold Ms. B, in a special place in our Hearts."