Beulah "Bea" Cearley, of Camden Arkansas peacefully went to meet her Savior on Tuesday, June 6th, 2023, in the home of her daughter, with whom she spent her final years.

Bea was preceded in death in 2010 by her beloved husband, Roy Cearley.

Bea is survived by her son, Stuart Cearley, of Bentonville, AR; her daughter, Donya Stark and her husband, John of Crown City, OH; Eight grandchildren, Owen, Hudson and Arden Cearley, all of Bentonville AR, David Stark (Hayden) of Natick MA, Sarah Rasmussen of Delaware OH, Promise Stark of Colorado Springs, CO, Joanna Stark of Delaware OH and Nathanael Stark of Upper Arlington OH; and two great-grandchildren, Violet and Rowan Rasmussen of Delaware OH.

Bea was born in Camden Arkansas on May 8th, 1939 to Samuel Toomey and Gladys Merritt Toomey (later Shaw). After graduation from Fairview High School in 1957, Bea was selected to go to work for the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Washington D.C. It was during this time that she met her husband, Roy Cearley. Soon after Stuart's birth, "Mama Bea" first appeared and informed Roy that Washington D.C. was not where she desired to raise a family. Roy, in an early example of showing both wisdom and his unwavering love for Bea, quickly concurred with her assessment, gave up his career with the Central Intelligence Agency, and relocated his growing family to Greenville SC where Donya was later welcomed into the family.

In 1970, after the deaths of her stepfather and maternal grandfather, Bea, being an only child with a deep love for her mother, desired to move home to Camden to be closer to Gladys, setting an example of love and sacrifice for which she was known over the years. And once again, Roy being both wise and loving of Bea, relocated their family as they began to build their lives in Arkansas.

Bea loved dearly her large "Merritt" family, her "Toomey" family and all of Roy's family from Georgia into which she was grafted. Being an only child of the oldest child of Papa and Mama Merritt put her in a unique transition place in the family tree. With her youngest Aunt, Myrtle, being only a few years older than her, they were more like sisters. Bea, (B.B. to some) enjoyed visiting with all her Aunties, Uncles and Cousins – the kitchen, living room, back deck and table on Amanda Street were frequently the settings of riotous laughter and reminiscing. She was hard-wired for connection and loved staying in touch with all her family and friends, old and new, near and far.

Bea, in those early years in Arkansas, after agreeing to help take care of the young child of a friend, soon opened her home and had an early childhood daycare that she ran from her home. Bea's "kids" were loved by her with the same fierce love that she had for her own – and many of them remained dear and close to her over the years, even as they became adults with children of their own.

After several years of caring for her "bonus" children, Bea took a job with the Camden Police Department. Her official title was the Administrative Assistant to the Chief but unofficially, many suspected that the "Administrative" title should be dropped, and she should just be considered the Assistant Chief. She would have scoffed at the suggestion, but her Chiefs would likely be the first to acknowledge how much they valued her loyalty, toughness, wisdom, and compassion as they managed the Department. Bea, the former Cub Scout den mother, had found a whole new den to serve and "Mother" and served in that capacity from the 70's into the 21st century. "Ms. Bea" loved her officers and other city workers from this season of her life.

In addition to being a Cardinal from the Class of '57, a childcare provider, a Den Mother, and a Camden city employee, she was also a member of Trinity Missionary Baptist Church. She held dearly the friendships she formed with those from that congregation and faithfully joined with them in prayer in various needs over the years, even when she was no longer able to be physically present with them.

"Ms. Bea" was a Southern Lady in every respect. "Honey", "Dear", "Sugar" and "Sweetie" were routine as she visited with her wide circle of people that she considered friends – and friends in her book were also considered family. She had a way of engaging with others that made the other feel as if they were the most important person in the world. She was an empath and cared deeply about the feelings of everyone she encountered. "Bless your heart" was a sincere form of condolence as your concerns and cares became hers.

Bea's home was always known as a welcoming home, full of love and laughter. No one ever stepped across the threshold of the home and then walked out as a "stranger". She and Roy always had an open door and an extra seat at the table for anyone who made their way to their home. Their hospitality and generosity touched numerous lives over the course of their years on Amanda Street.

Bea had a youthful curiosity and a joyful innocence about her – not the kind born of blissful ignorance or naivete' but rather the deliberate by-product of choosing to see the best in circumstances and, more importantly, the best in others. She was a woman of truth, with a strong moral compass, but always in the end had grace and mercy in equal or greater measure.

This curiosity about life, and the belief that it was worth living, and living well, led to an eclectic taste and a diversity of interests. Bea was a creative spirit who enjoyed expressing her creativity - whether by baking and decorating cakes, making her famous "sugar eggs" with their elaborate scenes, coloring old black & white photos, drawing sketches, writing poems or short stories, gardening with Roy, creating floral arrangements, or crafting items for home décor – Bea was always finding a way to express her joy for life and her desire to bless others. She spoke all 5 love languages but oh, how she loved to give and receive gifts – even the smallest tokens of appreciation – and to give words of affirmation and encouragement.

Bea's greatest role in her final years was as "Mama Bea" – She deeply loved Stuart and Donya, and later John, but that was but a faint shadow of her love for her "grands". She came alive with tea parties, dress-ups and costumes, playing games and telling stories as she spent time with each of them. Each grandchild was valued and treasured for being the unique image-bearers of GOD that HE created them to be,

Because ultimately, all of who Beulah Bea Toomey Cearley was in this life, was a function of who she knew she was in CHRIST: A person like all of us, someone created by the CREATOR, to be HIS image-bearer. A precious soul, worthy of love, respect, and honor simply because of the value GOD places on all of HIS creation.

Bea loved to encounter GOD in HIS Word but also loved to encounter HIM in HIS creation. Whether in the color of fall leaves, the blue birds nesting in her backyard, "Daisy" and "Dan" who were two of the neighborhood deer that she used to feed, or the sounds of the ocean coming to shore, Bea appreciated all of creation and the glimpses into the glory of GOD that it gave her.

And now, she sees HIM face to face as she worships HIM with all her family and friends who have gone before and as she waits for us to join her there by placing our faith in trust in JESUS.

Visitation will be held Monday, June 12th, 2023, from 5-8 p.m. at Proctor Funeral Home. The funeral, officiated by Bro. Alan Womack will be held Tuesday, June 13th, at 10:00 a.m. at Proctor's Chapel with interment to immediately follow at Camden Memorial Park with Bro. Richard Merritt officiating. In lieu of flowers, please feel free to give in her memory to The Events Center at Fairview Park, Trinity Missionary Baptist Church, The Gideons, Arkansas Baptist Children's Home, or any other charitable organization of choice.