Beatrice R. Solley's Obituary
History for Beatrice Rose Solley
Beatrice Rose Parker was born in Cullman Alabama on October 7, 1924. Her parents were Robert Lee and Azalea Rose Parker. She lived in Cullman for a few years and the family moved to Gadsden Alabama where she met her future husband James Luther Solley. She was married in secret on June 29, 1939 at the home of Pastor Edwards of the Twelfth Street Baptist Church. They forgot that three days later the marriage would be published in the paper under Marriage Licenses Issued. Both sets of parents were not happy. Bea and James rented a room in a widow’s house for $2 month that had no bath facilities and a coal burning stove. Her husband went to work for Republic Steel to support the new family.
Her first child was born on November 9, 1940 in Gadsden Alabama. Bea left Alabama on May 30, 1945 on a train to Phoenix Arizona. The family moved to Arizona due to her husband’s health which required that they live in a dry warm climate. They built their first home in 1947 and lived there for 8 years. Her second child Geraldine Rose Solley was born in Phoenix on March 31, 1949. They moved to a new home in Phoenix and after 2 years the family moved to Tucson.
Bea was very active in church. She taught Sunday School for 44 years and was a member of the WMU. She was a very accomplished seamstress. She made all of the family’s clothes, quilts, drapes, upholstered furniture and was a true “Pioneer Woman”. She was an accomplished baker and made the best German Chocolate Cake this side of Germany. She was also an avid gardener and took pride in her roses. She loved hummingbirds and would feed them religiously.
Her husband preceded her in 1983. She is survived by her children, 3 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.
She loved Jesus and witnessed for him right to the very end. Her favorite scripture was the 23rd Psalm and favorite Hymns were “How Great Thou Art” and “Amazing Grace.”
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