Martha Nell Bean was born December 20, 1933, to Isaac Lee Sr. and Clytee McKee. She departed this earthly life January 6, 2021. At an early age she united with Bridges Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Pittsboro and she joined Jackson Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Bruce in 1955, under the leadership of the late Rev. J.C. Batteast. While attending Jackson Chapel, she organized the first Pastor Aide committee and served as an usher as well as on the kitchen committee until her health declined.
She attended Bruce Junior High School and was salutatorian of her eighth grade class in 1949. She was also a member of the Heroines of Jericho.
She was employed in early years as a domestic housekeeper for Attorney Jesse Yancy, and also at Pizza Palace in Bruce, and Kellwood Clothing manufacturer in Calhoun City until it closed. In her spare time, she enjoyed baking cakes and cooking. She was known for her jolly spirit and love and compassion for her children and grandchildren.
Survivors include her children, Mae Francis Petty, Annie Glaspie, Tony Bean (Lois Bobo); brothers, Isaac Lee Jr., Thomas Lee (Mary Williams), George Allen Lee, all of Milwaukee; sister, Mary Nell Wofford, Marion, In.; three bonus grandchildren she raised as her own, Cedric (Anna) Pierce, Robert Pierce, Okolona; Isaac Bean, New York; 22 great grandchildren, one great-great grandchild; several nieces and nephews; brother-in-law, L.J. Petty; sisters-in-law, Wansa and Rosa Lee; daughter-in-law, Dinetia Glaspie; church members and neighbors, Norma Jean, Fred Lewis, Roger Westmoreland, ‘Shayboo’, and special friends, Julia Beckley, Mary Hightower, Delois Gaston, Bessie Petty, Elvis Gunn, Gladys ‘Mhoon’ Dundy, Bobbie Ann Jackson and Jackie Allen, who was more like a daughter.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by son, Thomas ‘Doll’ Glaspie; sisters, Francis Jean and Wanda Ann; brother, Franklin D.; son-in-law Edward Earl Petty; sisters-in-law Shirley, Gail, and Jessie Lee, and dear friends, Johnny Baker, Sara Purnell and Susie Holland.
Her funeral service was January 16 at Belle Memorial Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Thomas Tillman officiating. Burial was in Bruce Community Cemetery. Pallbearers were Roger Westmoreland, Corey Armstrong, Ricky McGuirt, Melvin Armstrong, Rodney Petty and Billy Armstrong.