Mrs. Bea Sherwood, age 93, of Blue Ridge, passed from this earth January 12, 2020. Fondly referred to as Miss Bea, she was originally from Clyattville, Georgia. She and Reamer Sherwood moved to Chamblee, Georgia, in 1951. She was a graduate of Clyattville High School. She grew up on her parents farm and her favorite chore was always house cleaning. She loved a clean house and was constantly cleaning out cabinets and closets. Cleaning was not her only interest. She loved to read and learn more about history and politics. While two of her children were in college, she took courses at DeKalb Community College in Atlanta, Georgia, and made an A in each class. It was a brief college experience, but she loved every minute. She was chosen to participate in an experimental project at Emory University assisting Dr. Ellen Fuller in a laboratory project with sheep. She was recognized by Dr. Fuller as an excellent technician.
She was an avid lover of sports. She especially loved the Atlanta Braves, UGA football and the Duke basketball team. They were among several families who established the Church of Christ meeting at the Lawson Chapel in Chamblee, and then were involved in building the congregation at Chestnut Drive in Doraville, Georgia. Their family worshiped at Chestnut Drive Church of Christ where she was a bible school teacher and elders wife. Being the mom of five children, she was a stay at home mom as her main job. Miss Bea was also a member of the local garden club in Chamblee.
Mrs. Sherwood was predeceased by her husband of 43 years, Reamer Y. Sherwood Jr., from Valdosta, Georgia. She is survived by her children and their families, Bess (Dick) Sumner, Pat (Charles) O’Cain, Claire Sherwood, Yeargin (Kim) Sherwood and Rena Roberts; grandchildren, Ryan (Carla) Sumner, Scott Sumner, Jonathan (Amanda) Sumner, Patrick O’Cain, Robbie O’Cain, Chris (April) Sherwood, Blake (Kimberly) Sherwood, Wesley Sherwood, Rachel Roberts and Rebecca (Nate) Smith; great-grandchildren: Ryan’s children, Lexi and Anna Claire, Jonathan’s children, Caleb and Emersyn, Rebecca’s son, Kilian, Blake’s sons, Grant and Owen and Chris’s daughter, Peyton.
She was also predeceased by her parents, Rufus and Bessie Johnson of Valdosta; her brothers, Charles R. Johnson of Casper, Wyoming, and Julian Johnson of Valdosta. She is survived by three siblings, Mary Nell Wells, Gene (Carolyn) Johnson and J. Winston Johnson; along with numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
She and Mr. Sherwood built a weekend cabin in Blue Ridge in 1979 where they visited on weekends. After his passing she moved to Blue Ridge in 1994. She joined several senior clubs in Blue Ridge and traveled with them. She worshiped at the Blue Ridge Church of Christ, and was involved in teaching Bible classes, mailing cards to encourage members of the Blue Ridge church as well as to people in the community. She mailed church bulletins to previous members, shut in, military service people and students in college. She loved to cook and was known by her friends and family for her cabbage (always served in a blue bowl), chicken casserole and cornbread at every monthly potluck fellowship dinner at church over the years. Sunday lunch was at her house every week with a home cooked meal.
She always loved plants and could make anything grow. Her sun porch was a haven for plants and orchids as well. She loved sending fresh cut flowers from the florist to people. Her local florist even sent fresh flowers to her in appreciation for her business.
She was a Christian first: serving the Lord in all she did. She prayed daily naming family members and friends by name. She was a daily Bible reader. You never left her presence without a bible verse quote and a reminder “God is in control.” As a loving mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great grandmother and friend she will be deeply missed, but her memories will remain in our hearts forever. We are all blessed to know we had her as an influence in our lives as long as we have.
Her greatest desire was to go to Heaven and we are promised if we do his will, we will join him. She was prepared to meet her Lord and join loved ones gone on before.
Funeral services were held Saturday, January 18, 2020, at the Blue Ridge Church Of Christ. Interment followed in Chastain Memorial Park.
Flowers acceptable or donations can be made to the American Heart Association or Georgia Agape Adoption Agency, Atlanta, Georgia, or Blue Ridge Church of Christ.
Arrangements entrusted to the Henry-Cochran Funeral Home of Blue Ridge. You may send condolences to the family and sign the guest register at www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.