Bedelia Faye Ragan was born on September 28, 1927 at home in Beaver County to William Richard and Ida Jane Rose. She was the tenth child of 12 children. Her school years were a Beaver Public School until the eighth grade. She later went back in 1969 and got her GED. Bea left home at the age of 13, and worked as a waitress at local cafes. She saved enough money so she could rent a two room apartment. Later she worked as a telephone operator for Bell Telephone Company.
In November of 1948 she married James F. Henry, Sr. in Booker, TX. They had three children: James F. Henry, Jr., Carolyn Sue Henry, and Stephen Wayne Henry. Bea lost Carolyn Sue at Birth. In 1954 Bea and J.F. divorced. She was on her own again with two ornery boys. She moved back to Beaver and made a living for the boys by working full shifts as a cook and waitress at different cafes. Then she would come home, and wash and iron clothes for other people. On weekends she cleaned the banks, clinic, and other people’s houses.
In October of 1962 Bea married Oscar Ragan. In early 1969 they bought the Tastee-Freeze, and it became the place to hang out for many teenagers in Beaver. Bea would even cook the wild game different boys hunted and killed. Bea became known as Aunt Bea and Grandma Bea to many people in Beaver. She had a soft heart for anyone that needed help or need to know how to live their life for Christ. Bea loved people, and loved teasing everyone. She was always there for her family, especially her grandchildren. She loved the grandchildren, and believed in giving them swats when they needed it. (Especially little Steve and Jessica Rose)
Bea lived long enough to see her great grandchildren and spoil them. She was always bragging about all of them.
Bea was a lifelong Baptist. She loved the Lord and the church. Bea and Oscar sponsored a new little church at Clearlake, Oklahoma in the 1960’s and helped it get on its feet. If there is a small cushion in the third roll on the Southside of the Baptist Church that was her seat for many years.
Bea died on September 18, 2019 at the age of 91years, 11months and 18 days at the Beaver County Hospital. She was preceded in death by her parents, William & Ida Rose; first husband, James F. Henry, Sr.; Carolyn Sue, her daughter, and all eleven brothers and sisters; her grandson, Lukus Henry, and her husband Oscar Ragan. She is survived by Jim and Paula Henry of Beaver, OK; Stephen and Peggy Henry of Bartlesville, OK, and one sister in law, Doreen Rose of Beaver, OK, 4 grandchildren Chuck & Jessica Howell of Amarillo, TX, George & LeAnne Wright of Shawnee, OK, Stephen & Christy Henry Jr. of Bartlesville, OK, & Yolanda Henry of Thomas, OK; and 8 great grandchildren plus a host of nieces and nephews.
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