Councilwoman Beatrice F. Gaddy

In the life of each of us, there are those moments which remain forever illumined. At times reality yields to nostalgia and the present bows to reverie. As we find ourselves drifting into reminiscence, we endeavor to share these treasured memories by focusing our thoughts on our loved one, BEATRICE FRANKIE FOWLER BROOKS GADDY, fondly loved as "Bea." Born on February 20, 1933 in Wake Forest, North Carolina, Bea was the oldest daughter of the late Mottie Fowler and Novella Davis. Yielding to the sound of trumpets while graciously accepting the loving comfort of God's merciful arms, she departed this life on Wednesday, October 3, 2001, at Johns Hopkins Hospital.The Educational Journey: After completing her elementary education, Bea completed her high school education at Dubois and N&D Technical School, in Wake Forest, North Carolina. She migrated to New York in 1952, where she found herself homeless but not helpless. In 1964, with help, she moved to Baltimore. Once settled, she found the means and stamina to begin continuing her education, specializing in the field of health and social work, attending classes at Catonsville Community College and Union Memorial Hospital, sponsored by Project Home. Upon completion of this training, Bea was certified as a Project Home Provider. In 1977, she received her B.A. degree in Human Services from Antioch College. From 1977-2000, Bea received a B.A. degree in Human Services "Alcohol and Drug Counseling," Masters degree in Counseling from the Gladd Institute of Nothetic Counseling. Bea was to have received her Doctorate Degree in Drug Counseling from the Gladd Institute of Nothetic Counseling and her degree in Policy Studies from Johns Hopkins University in 2002.The Missions and Ministries Journey: As an advocate for hunger, homelessness and other social issues, Bea has received numerous certificates and awards. However, she earmarked her public service training under the Social Security Act, as her basic foundation. In 1981, heart in hand, refusing to be bullied, bought or bothered, Bea launched her lifelong dream of opening her first shelter, The Bea Gaddy Center, in East Baltimore. The fulfillment of this dream motivated Bea to pursue dreams above and beyond even the maximum of her potential. In addition to The Bea Gaddy Center, 1981 also gave birth to the following initiatives and centers which have remained operational on a daily basis since their inception: The Family Center, Food Pantry, Counseling for Adults and Juveniles, Cancer and Health Center, Home Renovation and Lead Abatement. On October 1, 1982, Baltimore celebrated the opening of the Patterson Park Emergency Food Center followed by the opening of the Bea Gaddy Women and Children's Center on August 24, 1989. These centers house approximately 15 women and 23 children on a daily basis. The women are allowed to live in the center for approximately 18 months, during which time they are taught self worth and how to become self-sufficient. The Furniture Bank, which opened on May 12, 1992, was Bea's most recent accomplishment. Through this effort families are able to furnish houses, apartments, or rooms for a price as small as an orange soda. This is a satellite program for the Baltimore area in conjunction with the staff members from the Cross Keys Inn. Other local cities and jurisdictions are looking at this model program, and prayerfully similar programs will spring and sprout their seeds of commitment nationwide. Bea was an Associate Minister at Amazing Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church. In 2000, she became an outreach Minister at Mt. Pisgah CME Church in Baltimore. Bea was ordained in Crystal City, Virginia on August 6, 2001. These spirit-filled endeavors impelled her to start a Women's Ministry, held at 140 N. Collington Avenue, one that equips and empowers women, who need a fresh start in life, to return to society mentally alert and morally prepared. Also included in this legacy of love is Ms. Gaddy's Cancer Outreach Education and Door-to-Door Canvasser as Prevention, loving favored with the motto, "There is help and hope for everyone." In 1999, Bea was elected as a member of the city council representing the 2nd Councilmanic District in East Baltimore. Since 1981, she always thought more of the needs of others than herself. Thousand of lives have been blessed by her diverse and numerous humanistic efforts enabling her to serve over 500,000. Thanksgiving 2001 will mark the twentieth anniversary of a legacy that began in 1981, highlighted by her serving countless families at her annual Thanksgiving Dinners and Christmas Dinners. (In 1992, 23,487 families were served at Thanksgiving which was held on the grounds of Dunbar High School in East Baltimore. In 1997, 49,000.) Always exuding a mixture of her own brand of humor, temperament, taste, talent and that humanitarian touch of deep compassion and general caring, she was encircled by a host of family and friends. Characteristic of the "Mother Figure," "Big Sister," friend and confidant, she became the rock and anchor of Baltimore and many surrounding communities, giving of her time and love without reservation. She touched the lives of countless men, women and children. Ever conscious of the plight of the hungry and homeless, she pursued in their behalf until the end. Due to her personhood, her life was an open book. Each page clearly marked, read struggle, strength, perseverance, commitment, faith, hope and love, all the ingredients of a woman of substance. Everyone who happened to read any page of her life's story, over the years, has been able to draw from her wealth of wisdom and lean on her tower of strength. From the storehouse of her mind, she has truly left us with a treasure of memories, like diamonds, that will forever sparkle in the spirit of our being. Her children, Sandra Briggs, John Fowler, Cynthia Campbell, Michael Brooks and Pamela Thomas will continue to grow from the seeds she planted in the soil of their soul, as will her eleven grandchildren, Cheri and Antonio Laws Jr., Quinique and Quinnard Jones, Genice, Jenell, Marquita, John and Kendric Fowler; and eight great grandchildren. Her three brothers, Mottie and Anthony Fowler, Peter Young and one sister, Mable Beasley along with her brother- and sisters-in-law, and a host of other relatives and lifelong friends will always remember how, against all odds, Bea lifted the torch for the hungry and homeless, and now having beaten the odds, she's victoriously marching, torch in hand, into victory.

Tributes

Councilwoman Beatrice F. Gaddy

February 20, 1933 - October 3, 2001