Ellen Elsie Beatrice “Bea” Greer, 97, of McComb, went to be with her Lord and Savior, on Wednesday, June 24, 2020. She had been a resident of Camellia Estates for five years and life-long resident of McComb, MS.

Due to COVID-19 and social distancing, a private graveside service will be held at Hollywood Cemetery, with Hartman-Jones Funeral Home in charge and Dr. David Millican officiating.

Bea was known for her love of people and her years of service to her church and community. She was born on October 14, 1922, in Lincoln County, Mississippi, the 14th child of James Prentis Dyess and Josephine Ennis Dyess. She was married to Charles Stanford Greer, on May 3, 1941, in Lincoln County, Mississippi. They were married 51 years when he passed away.

She attended Enterprise High School, where she was a Point guard on their basketball team and a beauty. She graduated with honors from Southwest Mississippi Community College in 1969, at 47 years of age. She worked at Vest Shoe Store and taught Kindergarten at Erby Newkirk’s. Bea also was a substitute teacher for The McComb Public Schools for 12 years.

She loved The First Baptist Church of McComb, where she taught Sunday School for over 60 years, as well as Sunbeams, GAs, YWAs and Queens in Service. She was also a member of Circle. She had a passion and gift for Flower arranging. She fixed the flowers for the church sanctuary and the shut-ins for 35 years.

Bea was the last living charter member of The McComb Garden Club, where she held many offices and helped obtain the McComb Garden Club Center as well as start the Edgewood Coronation and Pavilion Activities. She was The McComb Garden Club’s first Duchess in the Junior Auxiliary Ball, in 1969.

Bea was an honorary member of the Flower Lover’s Club and the chairman of the First Festival of Flowers. She placed “Best Overall” in her last Flower Competition at the age of 93. She was also a charter member of The Howdy Crat Board, and an active member of PTA when her children were School age. She was a member of the Epsilon Sigma Alpha Sorority and the Red Hatters.

Bea loved to play bridge and was a member of Nora’s Major’s, The Birthday Club, Holiday Bridge, Sweet-16 and Country Club Bridge, where she placed second highest at the age of 93.

Bea and Charles had three daughters, Patricia Greer Kelley (Bill- deceased), Sandra Greer Summers (Bill-deceased) and Ava Greer Madison (Joe). She had four living grandchildren, Alexis Kelley Brown (Barry), Charles Richmond “Ric” Summers, Misty Rish, and Jill Madison Didon (Justin).  She had six living great grandchildren, William Davis Summers, Charlee Summers, Sagan Summers, Clayton Didon, Brynlee Didon and James Decker Didon. Bea self-adopted “The Jones” family, Sue Dennis Jones Nunnery Reeves, Jennifer “Jenni” Jones Schroeder, Jaqueline “Lucky” Jones Blacker, James “Jimbo” Jones, Dennis “Ooper” Jones and spouses.  She also claimed Susan Jackson and Tina Roberts.

Mrs. Greer is preceded in death by her husband, Charles Stanford Greer, her parents, her beloved grandson William Frank Summers Jr. “Little Bill”, and great-grandchildren, Annslee Layton Didon and Levi Stanton Didon.

Bea’s favorite bible verse was Proverbs 3:5-6. Her favorite song was “I’ll Fly Away” and her favorite saying was one that her pastor emeritus and dear friend, said at the closing of every sermon, “Now may the grace of God, bright like the light when the morning dawneth, gentle as the dew when the eventide falls, be and abide with you today, and tomorrow, and forever more. Amen and Amen.”

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Bea’s memory to The Mississippi Children’s Village, at 14 Market Ridge Drive, Ridgeland, MS, 39157, or her beloved First Baptist Church in McComb, Mississippi.

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