Beatrice Collins Threatt, affectionately known as “Bea,” passed away surrounded by love, leaving behind a legacy of generosity, strength, humor, and unwavering devotion to her family, her church, and her community. To know Bea was to know warmth, wisdom, and a rare kind of love that extended to everyone she met.

Born in Maylene, Alabama, Bea was the beloved daughter of Nellie Woodson and Sammy Collins, Sr. She was blessed with a close-knit family and grew up alongside her two sisters, Hallie “Marie” (living), Marilyn and her brother Sammy, Jr. (both who preceded her in death). The bond shared between Bea and her sister Marie was especially deep—the pair lovingly known as the Irish Twins, born back-to-back with a connection so close it often felt like telepathy.

Bea attended Prentice High School, where she met the love of her life, Harvey Threatt. The two married young and began a lifelong partnership rooted in mutual respect, joy, and deep affection. In 1962, they relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, where they built a home in Southwest Atlanta and lived together their entire lives. Bea and Harvey were married for 35 years until his passing, remaining devoted to one another in a way that everyone around them admired.

Bea’s faith was the foundation of her strength, compassion, and generosity. She was a faithful member of Greater Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, located at 1029 Joseph E. Boone Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA, where she served as one of the Mothers of the Church. She joined the church in 1963 and remained dedicated for over six decades—supporting the ministry, uplifting the congregation, and nurturing generations of members. Under the leadership of Pastor Demetrius Griffin and Lady Carletta Griffin, Bea continued to serve with dignity, love, and unwavering faith.

Bea was lively, endearing, and truly one of the best. She was known for her remarkable generosity, her calming presence, and her natural instinct to nurture and fix whatever was broken—whether it was a family matter, a personal struggle, or a simple common-sense problem. She had a gift for caring for others, and although she worked for 23 years at Southwest Community Hospital as a Patient Transport Specialist, everyone who knew her believed she should have been a nurse. She had a special way of “fixing you up”—body and spirit—and patients and coworkers alike adored her.

Bea loved people, and people loved her. She would do anything for anyone. Her warmth extended beyond her family into the entire neighborhood—literally. When Bea cooked, she cooked for an army. She made enough food for teams, neighbors, and whoever happened to stop by and lots of a annual family reunions, making sure no one left hungry. Her cooking was her love made visible, and her kitchen was a haven for all, including those who trained under her (Ann & Ray “Dezz”).

And she was stylish—flawlessly so. Bea loved clothes and took pride in being well-dressed from head to toe. She kept four to five suits in every color, complete with matching shoes, jewelry, and even money to tuck away. Her vibrant spirit shone through everything she wore, and she carried herself with elegance, confidence, and joy.

Her personality was just as vibrant. Bea called everyone “Baby”—a habit she kept until the very end. To Bea, everyone was family, everyone was welcomed, and everyone was “Baby.” She carried a natural liveliness and humor that lifted spirits wherever she went.

Bea was the devoted mother of two sons: Anthony “Jerome” (who preceded her in death) and Sedale Sr., her youngest son and who also brought Bea the daughter she always dreamed of: Ray “Dezz,” her “Ruth” in a Ruth-and-Naomi bond that lasted until Bea’s final breath. Bea had a loving third son, Ricky (Heather), she would move mountains for. Bea’s connection to Jerome, Sedale, Ray and Ricky was profound, loyal, and rooted in unwavering, unconditional love.

She was a proud and loving grandmother to Mike, Angel (Barbara), and William (Jerome/Olivia); Sedale Jr. (Alicia) and Sierra (Nyle), Savannah and Blaize, Norway, Elle, and Mieka (Sedale Sr.), Arieanna and Devon (Ricky); great-grandmother to Sedale III, Max, Esther, Solomon and Sarai (Sedale Sr.); along with a host of additional grandchildren. She was the very close aunt of several nieces and nephews (Ricky and Kenny-who preceded her in death, and Ann, Teresa, Jimmy, Kita-Girl and Keith-Alabaster, Alabama), all whom she embraced wholeheartedly. Each of them brought immeasurable joy to her life.

A Tribute of Love

‘God saw she was getting tired,and a cure was not to be,so He put His arms around her,and whispered, ‘Come with me, Bea.’

With tearful eyes we watched her sufferand quickly fade away.Although we loved her dearly,we could not do anything to make her stay.

A golden heart stopped beating,hardworking hands to rest.God broke our hearts to prove to us,He only takes the best.” – Author unknown

Endearing. Generous. Stylish – The Diva. Strong. Lively. Wise. Loving beyond measure. Bea was all of this and more. She was the grounding force in every situation, offering calm when there was chaos, clarity when things were confusing, and love when someone needed it most. She gave freely, lived fully, and left an unforgettable mark on every life she touched.

Though Bea is no longer here with us in body, her spirit lives on—in her faith, in the meals she prepared, in the people she helped, in the wisdom she shared, in the laughter she brought, and in the love she poured into the world. Her life was a blessing, her memory a treasure, and her legacy a testament to a life beautifully and generously lived.

Special Acknowledgements

The family extends sincere appreciation to the entire staff at The Retreat at Cascade Assisted Living Facility, Clyde Flemmings, Jr. (“driving Ms. Bea”), to the South Fulton Dialysis Clinic (Dr. Bob, Nurse Kim, Tammie and the entire team who cared for Bea for 15 years), and all our friends and family for their kindness, support, and care; and Greater Pleasant Hill Baptist Church (Pastor Griffin, Lady Griffin, Mother Griffin and the entire congregation).

Bea will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and forever treasured in our hearts.

In Loving Memory

Bea leaves behind, her sister, Hallie “Marie” Cohill, her youngest son, Sedale Sr., her daughter Ray “Dezz”, her son Ricky, her grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephew.