On February 13, 2010, our treasured and revered Beulah Marie Cantrell, of Turkey Creek, passed from this life into the next at Welch Community Hospital.
Born March 14, 1932, at Pea Patch, Va., she was one of eleven children of the late Lewis Bailey and Lilly Cole Hagerman. Sisters Greedis Hagerman, Ruby Christian, Virginia Brown, Molly Wilhite, Delores Long and brothers, Grevil, Norman “Ed”, Arvil Robert “Joe Bill” and Harlen “Buck” Hagerman preceded her in death. Her sole surviving sibling is her sister, Audrey Sturgill of Clear Fork.
Beulah Marie was a loving wife, devoted mother, nurturing grandmother, cherished aunt, supportive neighbor and friend. While living in England, she discovered her natural gift of crocheting and knitting. Her handiwork could not be matched as her creations were without limit despite seldom needing a pattern. An avid gardener, she enjoyed preserving the fruits of her labors. As the heart of the family, she relished having a houseful of people to feed. In the words of her husband, she was a “culinary genius.” Perhaps her greatest attribute was her generous and loving heart. She knew there was greater joy in giving rather than receiving. Endeared as a Mother to countless others, she in turn loved them with all the depths of her heart. In every sense of the word, she was a lady.
She was a member of the Wyoming United Methodist Church and had been a resident of Wyoming County for the past 44 years after travels as a military family.
In addition to her gentle husband of 58 years, Wilburn H. Cantrell, she is survived by three daughters, Millie Cantrell and husband, Thurman, of Pineville, Loretta Fortner and husband, Nick, of Turkey Creek and Lady Roberta “Robbie” Willis and husband, Rick, of Biloxi, Miss.; two sons, David Cantrell and wife, Suzanne, of Stuarts Draft, Va. and Michael “Joe” Cantrell and wife Periann of Mt. Juliet, Tenn.; nine grandsons, David “DJ” Cantrell of Erie, Pa., Samuel Cantrell of Bridgeport, Jonathan Cantrell of Christiansburg, Va., Luke Blackburn of Turkey Creek, Aaron, Brandon and Joseph Willis, all of Biloxi, Miss., Taylor Cantrell and Corey Lajoie, both of Mt. Juliet, Tenn.; three granddaughters Angie Pinter of Pineville, Cylie Bitler of Nashville, Tenn., and Melody Timberlake of Knoxville, Tenn.; six great-grandsons Jacob Pinter, Chase and Gabriel Cantrell, Kohen and Karder Bitler and Jace Willis; and one great- granddaughter Kayden Willis. She is also survived by special friends Terra and Mikie Fein.
