Beatrice Robbins Poteat

Beatrice Robbins Poteat, 90, of Apartment Street, Drexel, NC, died Monday, February 13, 2006 at the Burke Hospice Palliative Care Center in Valdese, NC following a serious illness of three weeks.

The oldest of 13 children, she was born in Rutherford County on September 6, 1915 and was a daughter of the late Hoyle and Rilla Robbins. She grew up on her parents’ farm before moving to Drexel in the early 1930s where she met her husband of 52 years, the late Charlie E. "Pat" Poteat.

In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Poteat was preceded in death by three brothers, Lawrence, Harrill, and Davis; and four sisters, Edith, Polly, Mattie, and Bruna.

Beatrice devoted much of her life to spreading the gospel of Christ through her work in Drexel First Baptist Church, where she was a member for more than 60 years. She was a long-time Sunday school teacher in the Nursery Department, and a Sunbeam leader. She was active in the Women’s Missionary Union, in a Bible study circle group, in the church’s audio and video tape ministry, and in a host of other local mission activities. In addition, she was a dedicated volunteer at Autumn Care of Drexel for many years.

Surviving Mrs. Poteat are: three sons and their wives, Robert and Becky Poteat and Johnny and Jane Poteat, all of Drexel, and Bill and Dinah Poteat of Valdese; three brothers, Horace Robbins of Lawrenceville, GA, Ernest Robbins of Hickory, NC, and Allen Robbins of Forest City, NC; two sisters, Ruby Dycus of Forest City and Merle Lackey of Shelby; two granddaughters, Caroline Poteat of Washington, D.C. and Jennifer Poteat of Asheville and their mother, Sally Poteat of Drexel; two step-granddaughters, Jada Reep of Boone, NC and Prairie Reep of Valdese; and a host of nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for Mrs. Poteat will be held at 3:00 p.m., Thursday, February 16, 2006, at the First Baptist Church of Drexel with Rev. Tito Madrazo officiating. Burial to be in Drexel Memorial Park. The family will receive friends prior to the service at the church fellowship hall from 1:00 until 2:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the Lottie Moon Foreign Missions Fund, in care of Drexel First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 308, Drexel, NC 28619 or to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Road, Valdese, NC 28690.

Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.