Barbara Watkins Beale

Barbara Watkins Beale, 91, of Sparta, VA, peacefully went to be with her Lord on May 7, 2023.  Raised in Roanoke, VA, she was the daughter of Violet Gill Watkins and Cornelius Tyree Watkins, Jr. She dedicated her life to educating others through her time as a teacher and guidance counselor in Caroline County Public Schools.  In her retirement, she spent more than 20 years volunteering as an AARP tax preparer.

She was devoted to her faith, spending most of her life as an active member of Salem Baptist Church.  She served in the choir, handbell choir, women’s ministry and a multitude of Bible studies. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Cornelius Tyree Watkins, III and her sister-in-law, Rosemary Coon Watkins. Surviving are her children, Richard L. T. Beale, IV, Rebecca B. Broaddus and husband, Lynwood, and Frank B. Beale, II and wife, Jan; also survived by her 10 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends on Thursday, May 11 from 6-8pm at Storke Funeral Home, Bowling Green.  A service will be held at 11am on Friday, May 12 at her home. For directions, please contact Storke Funeral Home at (804) 633-5661. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Salem Baptist Church, 24032 Sparta Road, Milford, VA 22514.