Rosalie M Beattie

Rosalie Beattie, 89, of Rocky Mount, North Carolina, was born on January 1, 1923 in Laurinburg,
North Carolina. She was adopted as an infant and raised by Bessie and Cash McKay, Sr. She was the
youngest of five children born to her birth parents, Ada and Sydney Richardson. She was preceded in
death by her husband, William Goler Beattie, Sr. and her son and daughter, Gerald Vincent Beattie and
Geneva Christina Beattie Johnson, two sisters, Pearl R. Alexander, Siberlean R. Roan.
As a child, she attended Bright Hopewell Baptist Church in Laurinburg, North Carolina. Along with the
guidance of her parents, she learned the teachings of the Bible and accepted Christ at the age of 12. The
family moved to Rocky Mount, North Carolina in 1961 and attended Mount Pisgah Presbyterian Church
where they immediately became active parishioners. Mrs. Beattie loved her church and church family
and attended faithfully until her health declined in January 2012. She was a member of the Mount Pisgah
Women’s Organization and served as the Senior Adult Sunday School Teacher for many years.
Academically gifted, Mrs. Beattie graduated from Laurinburg Institute at the age of fifteen. She attended
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in Greensboro, North Carolina and was a
proud “Aggie†of the Class of 1942. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in French and History and
two Master Degrees in French and Counseling, respectively. In 1945, she studied French for one year at
Laval University in Quebec, Canada. Her professional career began as a French Teacher at West
Southern Pines High School in Southern Pines, North Carolina. She also taught French at C.F. Pope High
School in Burgaw, North Carolina, French and English at Shallotte High School in Shallotte, North
Carolina and French, English and History at Ligon High School in Raleigh, North Carolina.
In 1961, Mrs. Beattie was recruited and hired by Nash Central High School in Nashville, North Carolina
to teach French and History. In 1971, Nash Central Senior High School became Nash Central Junior
High School. She was assigned to the position of Guidance Counselor and continued working in this
capacity until retirement in 1983 with 43 years of service with the Nash County School System. She has
successfully touched the lives of judges, attorneys, educators and various professionals across the state
who even to this day respectfully call her “Ma Beattieâ€. She was extremely active on the local, state
and national level of various professional organizations and held several offices. She has received several
distinct awards and honors during her professional career including The Ray Thompson Humanitarian
and Leadership Award and recognized as a “Community Pearl†by the Epsilon Gamma Zeta Chapter
of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Mrs. Beattie was a longtime member of the Order of the Eastern Star
where she was a member of Priscilla Chapter #248, Burgaw, North Carolina and served as Worthy
Matron for many years. She held both the Queen of the South and the Amaranth Degrees. She also was a
member of the Edgecombe­Nash Retired School Personnel and a member of the Leisuretts.
She is survived by two sons: Rev. Dr. Charles Malette Beattie, II of Asheville, NC and William Goler
Beattie, Jr. of Rocky Mount, NC? twin brothers: Rev. Angelo and Eddico Richardson of Reading, PA?
three grandchildren: Antonio M. Wilson of Suffolk, VA, Gerald Vincent Beattie, II of Charleston, SC
and Christina Monique Beattie of Rocky Mount, NC? one great­grandson: Xavier Mustafa Wilson of
Suffolk, VA? a special niece: Rev. Janice Grant of Reading PA? son­in­law: Dr. James H. Johnson, Jr. of
Pittsboro, NC? and a host of nieces and nephews. She was also surrounded and supported by her extended
family: Norma D. Petway, Delois J. Kelley, Terry L. Johnson, Damon, Amber, Olivia and Bella Scott,
Cynthia Clemons, Gwendolyn Sanders, Gloria C. Shealey, Betty J. Powell, William G. Smith, Vickie
Hill and Rev. and Mrs. Raymond Privott.
Never having a dull moment in her life, Mrs. Beattie’s interest and hobbies included playing the
piano, crocheting, sewing, reading, traveling, crossword puzzles and sudoku. However, she was the
happiest when she was outside on her porch in her rocking chair taking in the sights, sounds and smells
of nature.
A Visitation for Mrs. Beattie will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., on Friday, February 10, 2012, in
the Rocky Mount Chapel of H.D. Pope Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., on
Saturday, February 11, 2012, at Mt. Pisgah Presbyterian Church in Rocky Mount, NC. Rev. Raymond L.
Privott will be presiding. The interment will take place immediately following the service in the Rocky
Mount Memorial Park in Rocky Mount, NC.
These professional services have been entrusted to H.D. Pope Funeral Home, located at 325 Nash Street
in Rocky Mount, NC.
H.D. Pope Funeral Home extends its sincere appreciation to Rev. Raymond L. Privott and to the Mt.
Pisgah Presbyterian Church family.