Beulah Stowe Carey

Life for Mrs. Beulah Lorraine Stowe Carey began June 10, 1924 in Lincolnton, North Carolina. Beulah was born to Peter Stowe and Cora Yarborough. She was eternally grateful for her earthly father, Papa Peter, whose personified heroic acts in the Big Flood in the early 1900s in North Carolina are still remembered and honored. Beulah was a native of Portsmouth, Virginia since she was three weeks old. Beulah married the love of her life, Richard Carey, Jr., in 1942. From this union, she mothered five children (LaSharon, Richard III, Reginald Sr., Lottie, and Katura) whom she nurtured, motivated, and inspired to become all that they could become. Beulah was a proud graduate of I.C. Norcom High School and loved learning so much that she decided to start undergraduate studies at Norfolk State College at the ripe age of 35 years old. Little did she know then that she would receive a Bachelor of Science degree from Norfolk State College, a Master’s degree in education from the University of Maine, and further doctoral studies from Hampton Institute and Nova University in Fort Lauderdale. She was an outstanding educator and assistant principal for 27 years with Portsmouth Public School System. Beulah was a scholar, a civil rights advocate, an avid reader, and a world traveler. Beulah gave all credit to her husband and children for their help and faithfulness in home affairs while she studied and traveled extensively to several countries including Ghana, Russia, Italy, England, Spain, Haiti, Jamaica – just to mention a few. She was proud to work on behalf of her church and many community organizations including Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (Norfolk Alumnae Chapter, Diamond Life Member), The Links Incorporated of Portsmouth, the African American Historical Society of Portsmouth, Cooperating Hampton Roads Organizations for Minorities in Engineering (CHROME), Order of the Eastern Star (Truxton Chapter, No. 63), the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW), the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP, Life Time Member), and the National Alliance of Black School Educators (NABSE). Her family always celebrated her fearless willingness to try new things because she followed God who makes all things new. We recall a good-naturedness with which every new opportunity, every crisis was met as she pursued her dreams starting as a secretary, teacher of all, mentor as a principal, resource specialist, and pure lover of education in Portsmouth Public Schools. Beulah was a lady of enthusiasm, action, and zeal for the promotion of education in every way and yet she is fast to sum all accomplishments in five amazing words – “TO GOD BE THE GLORY.” Throughout her life, Beulah often recalled stories of her “Papa”, her earthly hero, who instilled in her many powerful attributes such as a Christian life, fortitude, hard work, justice, tenacity, perseverance, and determination. She has modeled these attributes to her family, friends, and all of mankind. Left to cherish Beulah’s memory is her daughter Lottie Short (Harry), grandchildren Rhonda Cuffey (Sonnie), Rosalind Henderson, Reginald Carey, Jr., Bryan Carey (Bridgett), Devona Carey-Leary (Jorvelle), Larry Harvey, Jr., Titus Harvey, Sr. (Nicole), and Petra Harvey, and a host of great and great-great grandchildren. Beulah was predeceased by her husband, Richard Carey, Jr., and four children LaSharon, Richard III (Marian), Reginald Sr. (Velvoria), and Katura (Larry). A viewing will be held at JT Fisher Funeral Home on Friday, June 14th from 3pm to 5pm. An Omega Omega Service (Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.) will be held after the viewing at 5pm. A homegoing celebration will be conducted on Saturday, June 15th at 10:30am at St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church, located at 2714 Frederick Blvd, Portsmouth, VA 23704, with the burial immediately following at Roosevelt Memorial Park in Chesapeake, VA. Special thanks to the nurses and staff of Mayfair House for Assisted Living for their compassionate care.

Beulah Stowe Carey

June 10, 1924 - June 7, 2024