Benie Fitzgerald

Benie Fitzgerald was born on February 29, 1924, to the late Frank and Alberta Manning. After a brief illness, she passed peacefully from labor to reward on Thursday, June 3, 2021.

Benie was affectionately known as “Bea Bea” by many as well as her children when we really wanted her attention. She really loved and nurtured her children dearly. She would tell anyone and everybody that she had the best children in the world. And we knew we had the best mother in the world!

She graduated from Dunbar High School in East Baltimore.

Bea Bea was married to William Fitzgerald in 1944. From this union six children were born; five daughters, Carol, Clarice, La Verne, Brenda, Shirley and their son Albert. We were taught to love and respect each other as well as our elders. We better not misbehave or do anything wrong outside of the house because everyone knew mama and daddy and they said we all looked alike and they would surely tell on us.

Benie was raised in Southern Baptist Church and attended services faithfully with her father and mother. She joined Southern Baptist Church at an early age under the leadership of Reverend Coil, Reverend Grant and Reverend Hickman. Later she joined United Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend Vanderford. In 2017, she joined her great-grand son’s Church, Beyond the Wall Ministry, under the leadership of Pastor Lamont Brown, Jr.

During her lifetime Benie had many jobs, she worked and retired from London Town Manufacturing Company as a Coat Marker. After retiring from London Town she worked for the Baltimore City Public School System. She even found time to care for her next door neighbor, as well as aunts and cousins in New York and New Jersey and a close family friend in Howard County.

Bea Bea’s ministry was helping others. Her favorite scripture was Psalm 91 and her favorite song is “You Don’t Know” by Zacardi Cortez. She loved cooking and growing vegetables in her garden as well as canning and making preserves. Her favorite recipe was homemade rolls and vegetable soup.

To carry on her legacy she leaves four daughters, Carol Powell (Henry), La Verne Stills (Claude), Brenda Fitzgerald, Shirley Bryant (Alton); one son, Albert Fitzgerald; Clarice Fitzgerald preceded her in death; twelve grandchildren; eighteen great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild and one great-great-great grandchild.