Mattie Pearl Bethea

A Time to be Born:   Mattie Pearl Bethea was the fourth child born to the late John and Jannie Tyree Swann, on August 22, 1918, in Buckingham County, Virginia.

A Time to Plant and Learn:   Mattie grew up in a Christian home and received her early Christian training from her parents and the serving Pastors of Chief Cornerstone Baptist Church in Dillwyn, Virginia.  Mattie was also baptized at Cornerstone.  She attended Buckingham County Training School, where she matriculated through the eighth grade, before leaving school to care for her ailing mother.

A Time to Love:   On March 1, 1940 she was united in holy wedlock to the late John Edward Wade, in Virginia.  They later moved to Baltimore, Maryland where her husband came to seek employment with the Bethlehem Steel Company. After arriving in Baltimore their daughter, Delores was born and then, their son Robert. Later in life she met and married the late Ernest Bethea in 1960.  Mattie became an active member of Southern Baptist Church while it was located on Preston and Bond Streets and remained active when Southern moved to its current location.  She attended service every Sunday morning, looking fashionable in her Sunday best outfits and hats, until her health began to decline. She continued to send her tithes, by her niece Marion, every week. Mattie stayed connected to her faith with her weekly visits from either Rev. and Mrs. James Johnson or Deacon and Mrs. Edward Bernard.

A Time to Care:    Mattie was a devoted and loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She worked long hours, striving to provide for her children and making sure they stayed on the right path.  Mattie made certain Delores and Purnell (Robert) had the tools they needed to survive in life.  She was the person that family and friends always called for medical advice, because of her love of researching medical manuals and pharmaceutical books.  Mattie would diagnose your problem and advise you on a home remedy. She was a vital and supportive link to her family; Mattie was truly the matriarch.

A Time to Labor:   Mattie was employed by S. Schapiro and Sons, Inc, as a textile technician, for 40 years.  While employed there, she had to take an extended leave, returning to Virginia, to once again care for her mother, Jannie before her passing.  After her mother’s death Mattie returned to her job in Baltimore and continued raising her family.  She retired in 1983 at the age of 65.  Mattie, who was affectionately called Pearl by her family, enjoyed reading the newspaper from front to back, singing hymns as he cooked and baked for her family, being the family hair stylist, sewing to make something out of nothing; she was just a “jack of all trades”.  As an avid sports fan, she especially loved following the Ravens and the Orioles.

A Time of Peace:   On Sunday, October 18, 2020, Mattie transitioned peacefully at home with her daughter by her side.

A Time to Mourn:   Mattie leaves to cherish her beautiful memory a faithful and devoted daughter, Delores Jane Hardrick, a loving son Robert Purnell Wade (Carolyn); Grandsons, Daryl (Dana) and Darion (Reagan); Adopted Grandsons, Marshall (Cecelia), and Devon; Great Grand Children, Daryl Jr. (Julia), Darius, Corey, Dasia, Darion Jr., and Dara; Step Great Grands, Taylor (Carlos), Brendan, Danaesha, Spencer, and Donte; Great Great-Grand, Samira; Step Great Great-Grand, Rowan.

Mattie was preceded in death by her oldest Grandson Warren, and Granddaughter Tobi; 3 brothers, Linwood, Edward and Joseph; 2 sisters, Georgia and Noralee