Avalea Bean

Bean, Mary Avalea, age 86, went to be with her Lord on October 17, 2009. Avalea was born May 22, 1923 in Nashville, the daughter of William Barry and Edith Elizabeth Holt Pendleton. Avalea will be greatly missed by all those whom lives she touched, whether family, fellow church members or friends. Remember all the wonderful times you shared with her, the lessons taught, the love she gave, the laughter and the joy she brought into your life She is preceded in death by one son, Harold Leon Perry and her brother William Barry Pendleton, Jr. She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Ollie Edward Bean; one son Barry Pendleton Perry and wife Rebecca; stepdaughter Cibelle Hartzler and husband John; Grandchildren: Jennifer {Chris} Karches, Katrina Hardin, Dottie (Terry) Robinson, Nickie {Glen} Alred, Ashley Perry, Troy {Karen} Hofmann, Traci {Chris} Strobel, Marcie {Jay} Burgad and Starr "Donnamarie" Mars; Great grandchildren: Rhett Karches, Autumn Hardin, Harrison Hardin, Wesley Hardin, Amber Robinson, Brittani Robinson, Steven Robinson, Sharon Robinson, Kayla Alred, Devan Hofmann, Camron Hofmann, Melanie Hofmann, Tyra Strobel, Shayla Strobel, Kellan Strobel, Tanner Strobel, Camie Burgad, Connor Burgad, Logan Fonseca, Orian Mars, William Mars, Arianna Mars and Coral Mars Pallbearers will be friends and family Visitation will be Monday from 3-8PM and Tuesday 9Am-2PM with funeral service conducted at 2PM at Phillips-Robinson Chapel, 2707 Gallatin Rd. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery To all Avalea's loved ones, both family and friends: Avalea came into this world on May 22, 1923, the only daughter of William Barry "Bubba" Pendleton and Edith Elizabeth Holt. Soon after her only brother Billy was born, her parents were divorced in 1925. From that point forward Avalea was raised by her father and grandparents, Charles Wesley and Elnora Wright Pendleton. She was the "apple" of her daddy's eye and was probably spoiled as much as possible during the depression years. One story Avalea told about her father "When I was about 3 years old he got after me about getting in the make up on the dresser and told me he would spank if I did it again. I told him I'd just wait until he went to work and then I'd get in it. He got tickled at me and couldn't punish me." Her childhood in East Nashville was a hard one with the Great Depression which started in 1929. By 1933 millions of Americans were out of work. Bread lines were a common sight in most cities. "Brother, can you spare a dime?" went the refrain of a popular song. Avalea attended school in East Nashville until her High School years and World War II started; at that time she went to live with her Aunt Maude and Uncle Claude Turner in Marion Illinois where she graduated high school in 1941. In 1943 she met and married Harold Leon Perry. From this marriage she had two wonderful sons, Harold Leon Perry, Jr. and Barry Pendleton Perry. Leon was born while his father was in the Navy and stationed in New York. Barry was born about the time World War II was coming to an end. During the war years Avalea spent a lot of time in New York City to be close to Harold and her father. In 1951 she met and married Ollie Edward Bean. Rarely are there two people more suited for each other than this couple. With this marriage, Ed brought a daughter into Avalea's life, Gla'Dienne. Gla'Dienne spent most summers with Ed and Avalea. She and both boys were always just like brothers and sisters. The three were a handful when they were together and there wasn't anything they couldn't think of to get into." In August of this year Ed and Avalea celebrated their 58th anniversary. Avalea loved to argue with Ed; but then they enjoyed making up. Avalea always said "never go to bed mad." All thru their marriage, Ed made sure Avalea had fresh flowers, whether a special occasion or just to say "I Love You" and saw that she had just about anything she ever wanted, and that she saw lots of the world. Avalea and her aunt Sissy were like sisters, doing everything together from church events to family gatherings. Avalea helped raise Sissy three children, Venora, Adrina, and Horace Jr. After Sissy's death, Avalea became a mother to Horace Jr. and a grandmother to Horace's sons. Avalea was very involved with the community and politics. Anytime there was an election, she loved working the polls and convincing others that the candidate she supported was the only one to be elected. Avalea always loved to host parties at her home. Whenever there was an upcoming party, everything in her house had to be dusted and cleaned from top to bottom. Most of us girls remember learning to "Dust Properly" by dusting under her dining room table and chairs. I don't think one of us ever got it right the first time. But it wasn't always work, each of us girls learned which was the "right" table cloth, how to properly set a table, which dishes to use for each occasion. These were all the things we thought we would NEVER need to know. Around Christmas each year Avalea always baked the best cookies and candies, with most of them looking like the pictures in magazines. Avalea loved the church and her fellowship there. She was a member of East End United Methodist Church for countless years, from a small child until the late 1980's when she and Ed moved to Adams Tennessee where she became a member of Cedar Hill United Methodist Church. While at East End, she dearly loved teaching Sunday School, and watching so many children grow up learning about God and Jesus. Avalea also was a member of the Monday Group at Church, where she and the other ladies had fellowship while playing bridge, every Monday. Whenever a member of the church was sick or there was a death, Avalea was there with food, and doing anything else she could for these families. Ed and Avalea always kept their home open for anyone who needed a place to live whether family or friend and helping them in any way possible. Over the years, many benefited from their hospitality. In the early 60's Avalea was blessed with her first grandchild, Troy her only grandson, followed by Traci, Marcie, and Starr. Then in 1967 Jennifer, followed by Katrina, Dottie, Nickie and Ashley. Avalea was in heaven with all of these granddaughters. Avalea thought all little girls should be dressed in satin and lace. She really enjoyed making the most filly dresses ever, for each of them. Sometimes even putting bells on the dresses, and of course their hair had to be in curls. Nickie likes to tell of the time she had gotten a beautiful peach dress with black buttons and a black belt, which she was so proud of; well this wasn't proper in Avalea's mind so Avalea took the black buttons off and put pastel buttons on and changed the black belt to a filly sash. With the arrival of her granddaughters, Avalea learned to make Barbie cloths. Her granddaughters had the best dressed and most fashionable Barbie's in all of Nashville; with each outfit hand sewn and decorated by a loving grandmother. Every summer for years Ed and Avalea would load up all the granddaughters and head to Turkey Creek and spent a week or two. Avalea loved these girls so much and of course they could never do anything wrong. One of the biggest trips Ed and Avalea took was when they took Nickie with them to see the western states. Avalea loved all of her family and thru the years, always made sure to have a big gathering once or twice a year to make sure we all stayed connected; and of course there was lots of great food. As we go from this place today, and have laid Avalea in her final resting place, remember in your hearts that Avalea is with God. She leaves a piece of herself in each of you. She is free of pain and at peace, watching over all her loved ones. Go and remember all the wonderful times you shared with her, the lessons taught, the love she gave, the laughter and the joy she brought into your life. Keeping Avalea in your hearts. "Beth"

Avalea Bean

May 22, 1923 - October 17, 2009