Beatrice "Bea" Hemphill

Beatrice Harris Hemphill, age 89, of Marion, North Carolina, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, August 26, 2016 at Rose Hill Retirement Community.  Born in McDowell County, North Carolina on November 08, 1926, she was the daughter of the late Joshua Hall Harris and Mamie Lawing Harris.

Bea, as she was affectionately known, spent her entire working career in banking.  When she retired, she was the Business Development Officer in charge of marketing at First Union National Bank in Brevard, North Carolina, which then merged with Wells Fargo.  Bea graduated from Glenwood High School in McDowell County and Cecil’s Business College in Asheville.  In addition, she had completed a number of American Institute of Banking courses.

Bea was very active in the First Baptist Church of Brevard, where she served as director of the first grade department of Sunday school for 22 years.  She was co-director, along with her husband, for the No. 4 adult Sunday school department for several years; they also co-directed the fifteen-year-old department of training union.  In her younger years, Bea sang in the choir and later was the coordinator of the senior citizens’ group known as the “Young at Heart” for 10 years.

She was preceded in death by her siblings, John Harris, Walter Harris, Margaret Harris Zuver and Charlotte Harris McKinney.

Left to cherish her precious memories is her loving husband of 66 years, James Britt Hemphill; several nieces and nephews; and many friends.

A celebration to honor the life of Bea will be held on Tuesday, August 30, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Marion, where she was a member, with Dr. Scott Hagaman and Rev. Matt Roberts officiating.  Interment will follow at Montford Cove Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 2:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m., prior to the service, at the church.

Flowers are acceptable and appreciated.  Those wishing to make a memorial donation in Mrs. Hemphill’s memory are asked to consider, Montford Cove Baptist Church Cemetery Maintenance Fund, 4920 Cove Road, Union Mills, North Carolina 28167.

"I have lived a long life.  I had a good Daddy and Mother who taught me right from wrong.  They always insisted that I do that which was right.  I’ve always tried to do what was right.  I’ve had a good husband.  I’ve had a good marriage, and if the Lord wants me, I’m ready to go."

~Beatrice Harris Hemphill~