On Sunday, Feb. 1, 2004, Beatrice Taylor Powers went quietly to be with the Lord. She was residing in Lanham, Md. with her devoted granddaughter, Brenda Grooms. She was affectionately known to family as Ma Bea.

Beatrice was born in Suffolk to the late Castol Lee and Beatrice Tyler Taylor. She now joins her only brother, Adolphus Taylor. She was raised in Suffolk where she graduated from the former Booker T. Washington High School in 1941. Beatrice also attended two years of schooling at Little State College presently known as Norfolk State University.

In 1944 she married the late James Henry Powers. They shared their lives together at 413 Hunter Street in Suffolk. From that union two sons were born. She was a devoted member of the First Baptist Church of Pleasant Hill in South Suffolk and then moved to the First Baptist Church, Mahan Street. Beatrice was employed the Planters Nut and Chocolate Company where she retired in 1987 after 35 years of faithful service. She was a member of the NAACP and was very active in the community.

She leaves two sons, James E. Powers, of Jacksonville, Fla., and John F. Powers of Brandywine, Md.; three daughters-in-law, Betty Powers, Bessie Powers and Louise Blunt; one sister-in-law, Susie Joyner; nine grandchildren and their spouses, Alicia Powers, April Powers, Brenda Grooms, Robert Grooms, Dineen Mixon, Shelton Mixon, James Powers Jr., John Powers Jr., Natasha Powers, Sheree Powers, Tyrone Montgomery, and Rose Montgomery; 11 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; a dedicated and devoted caregiver, Doris Best; numerous nieces, nephews, and many other friends and relatives.

The funeral will be held at noon Saturday in First Baptist Church, Mahan Street, 112 Mahan Street. Interment will be in Carver Memorial Cemetery.

A viewing will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. Friday in Crocker Funeral Home, and then from 11 a.m. to noon Saturday in the church.