Beatrice "Ms. Bea" Word Pharis

Beatrice “Ms. Bea” Word Pharis, 104, of Pampa, died Saturday August 13, 2016 in Pampa. Services will be 10:00 AM Tuesday, August 16, 2016 in the Carmichael-Whatley Colonial Chapel, with Rev. Rick Parnell, retired Baptist pastor, officiating. Graveside services will be at 2:00 PM, Tuesday at Higgins Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors. Beatrice Clay Mitchell was born March 28, 1912 to Winifred Harlow Mitchell and James Alfred Mitchell in Powhatan, VA. Bea grew up with 3 sisters and 2 brothers. Can you imagine the fun they had? When Bea was 16 years old she went to work for Sauer spice Factory earning $.16 ½ per hour. She advanced to supervisor. Through the great depression her hours were cut but she earned $.74 an hour. She married Herbert Marion Word on Oct 4, 1944 in Henrico County, VA. They spent 2 years in Virginia before his health forced them to move to the drier climate of California. They moved to Shattuck, OK where she worked for Bestway for 3 years. Later they moved to Canadian, where Bea was a checker and helped in the office at Bestway for over 28 yrs. She knew every family and all of their members. Marion and Bea loved to travel, as they made many trips until Marion’s health kept them close to home. Marion passed away in 1980. On April 23, 1984, Bea married Guy D. Pharis and moved to Pampa. With this marriage came her own family; children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. In her 70’s she suffered a stroke and with Guy’s family’s love and support, she came home to continue her long adventure. Guy passed away in 1990. Bea continued to travel with Guy’s daughter Jeanne Bailey. They made many trips to visit children and grandchildren. Her last 2 trips to Virginia were at the age of 89 and 91 and she was accompanied by her niece Joy Ridgway. She had been making this trip for 59 years, the first ones by train and the latter by plane. She was an amazing traveling companion. On her 86th birthday there was a surprise party for her. She said, “No more parties but when I turn 100 we should have a dance.” She did eventually have that dance on her 100th birthday with a live band. She lived life to its fullest. She had an amazing memory that put all to shame. Her motto was: “hard work never killed anyone.” To this end she continued getting up, eating a large breakfast, cooking her carrots, doing some chores, getting her hair fixed and remembering everyone’s birthday. She loved the Lord and went to church with Jeanne as long as she was able, later she listened to services on the radio. She was preceded in death by her parents James and Winnie Mitchell, two brothers, James Sydnor Mitchell and Buck Mitchell; three sisters, Audrey Nuckols, Annis Singleton, and Piggy Lucas; nephews Judson Nuckols, Jimmy Singleton, Ray Lucas; a niece Rebecca Tarumoto. Survivors include her Virginia nieces and nephews, Judy Ross and husband Mel of Rockville, Bette Nuckols of Yorktown, Fred Singleton and wife Anita of Richmond, Becky Zolnoi of Richmond, Jean Singleton of Midlothian, James Singleton of Richmond, and Gayle Lucas of Chester; the Word family nieces and nephews, Doris Landers, Joy Ridgway and husband Phil, all of Higgins; the children of Nell Bettis, Arba Word and wife Faye, and Ann Word all of Higgins, Lee Nell and Merlin Littau of Stillwater, OK, and LouVera and James Hogg of Fontana, KS; and many more Word and Satterwhite nieces, nephews, and cousins; the Pharis family, Jeanne Bailey of Athens and Guy Don Pharis of Edgecliff Village; eight grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, and nine great-great grandchildren; special friends in Pampa, the Mike and Dronda Kelsey family, the Regina Woods family, a large Central Baptist Church family, a loving Meredith House, and Interim Healthcare loved ones. Memorials may be made to Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch, PO Box 1980, Amarillo, TX 79174-0001 or your favorite Veterans group.