Beatrice Ann McGhee departed this earthly life on May 27, 2023. She was born December 2, 1943, in Athens, Alabama to Will Ollie and Lillie Smith. Beatrice accepted Christ at an early age, serving at Little Elk Missionary Baptist Church in Athens. She graduated from Trinity High School and moved to Rockford, Illinois in 1963 where she joined Providence Baptist Church, diligently serving for more than 45 years as a Sunday School Teacher and in the Sanctuary Choir. Meeting at Providence, on May 6, 1967, Beatrice married her husband of 55 years, Willie, after he returned from serving in the Army during the Vietnam War.

Professionally, Beatrice was employed as a Pharmacy Technician at One Stop Pharmacy and as a Baker with Rockford School District 205. However, many knew her smiling face from her post-retirement job at Roma Bakery and her love for making homemade meals, desserts, jelly/preserves, chow chow, and pickles. Lovingly called "Aunt Bea" by so many, she was the epitome of love, grace, strength, wisdom, and hospitality. If you ever had the chance to grace her home or eat one of her homemade treats, you experienced a little touch of her own blend of Southern hospitality and a whole lot of love. With her family and those she "adopted", she was the ultimate engaging teacher, confidant, loving corrector, wise counselor, and cheerleader. Simply put, she was an irreplaceable precious jewel.

Beatrice was preceded in death by her husband, Willie McGhee; her parents, Will Ollie & Lillie Smith; sisters, Mildred Martin and Betty Allen. Beatrice leaves to cherish many loving memories two sons, Kenneth (Rhonda) McGhee and Kurt (LaShun) McGhee; daughter, Kassandra McGhee; five grandchildren, Brittany, Kirshaun, Brianna, Kendric, Brandon; siblings, Ola Yarbrough, Will Smith, Mary Turner, Paulette Golston; godchildren, Bridget (Vernon) Sims, Amber (Christian) Kidd, Beth Ann Beal, Graylin (Yolonda) Bates, Bethany (Artese) Simmons; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, "adopted" children, and close family friends; best friends, Bobbie Rigsby and Pam Bach; and her beloved Providence Baptist Church family.

Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 10, 2023, at Providence Baptist Church (2209 Clifton Avenue) Rockford, Illinois. Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery. Arrangements completed by Carl E. Ponds Funeral Home Inc. (200 N. Johnson Avenue) Rockford, Illinois.