Beatrice "Bea" McNeill McRae

Beatrice “Bea” Elizabeth McNeill McRae, 92, of Winston-Salem, died at home on August 19, 2024. Beatrice was born on May 9th, 1932, on a farm in Broadway, NC. She was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Horace Everett McRae, her father, Roosevelt V. McNeill, and her mother, Exie Smith McNeill. She was also preceded in death by her sister, Aleise McNeill Barber and twin brother, Ashael Bradford McNeill. After graduating from Boone Trail High School, Bea attended Campbell College where she played on the women’s basketball team and received an Associate degree in 1952. Bea then earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Wake Forest College in 1954. She went on to receive a graduate degree in Physical Education at MacMurray College in Illinois. She taught at several colleges and universities including Memphis State College, Furman College, Georgia State College for Women, and the University of Chattanooga. While living in Memphis she met Horace and in 1962 they married. After living in Birmingham, AL for 4 years, Bea moved with her family to Lumberton, NC where she was an active member of First Baptist Church for many years. She served in various local and state-wide leadership roles in the Women’s Missionary Union (WMU) including 5 years as North Carolina WMU president. This work continued after moving to Winston-Salem and Ardmore Baptist Church in 1994. In retirement, Bea and Horace were small business owners, finally selling their Great Clips franchise in 2011. After moving to Homestead Hills in Winston-Salem in 2011, Bea was president of the independent living residence association and contributed to the community in many ways. Bea was a wonderful daughter, sister, wife, mother, and friend. She lived a life of service to her family, community, and church. She was always the first person to volunteer when she learned of someone in need and taught Sunday School classes into her 90s. Bea enjoyed cooking for her family, Bible study, gardening, and traveling with Horace all over the United States, Europe, and the Caribbean. The family is grateful to Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center for wonderful care over the years and to the staff at Homestead Hills/Live Long Well for their friendship and support particularly over the last few months. Bea is survived by her son, Bradford Lawrence McRae and wife, Sarah Guehler McRae of Northborough, MA, and their children, Ethan Paul McRae of Needham, MA and Gavin Everett McRae of Chicago, IL. Bea is also survived by her daughter, Alisa Ann McRae of Winston-Salem, NC and her children, Patrick McRae of Rock Hill, SC and Marcia McRae of Hurdles Mill, NC. 

A service to celebrate the life of Bea McRae will take place at 2pm on Saturday, September 14th at Ardmore Baptist Church in Winston-Salem with Rev. Tyler Tankersley and Mr. Mike Nuckolls officiating. A reception will follow the service in the church fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts be made to the Women’s Missionary Union of North Carolina Trust Fund, 205 Convention Dr., Cary, NC 27511, Ardmore Baptist Church Mission Venture Fund, 501 Miller Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27103, or the Homestead Hills Memory Garden Trust Fund, 3250 Homestead Club Drive, Winston-Salem, NC 27103. Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel is assisting the family.