Beatrice Mckay

Beatrice McKay was born to the late John Fegans and Lillie Reynolds Fegans on May 4, 1947, in Wetumpka, Alabama. She was a graduate of Newville Rosenwald High School in Newville, Alabama. Beatrice pursued higher education and attended George C. Wallace Community College in Dothan, Alabama and later attended Massey Business College, Atlanta, Georgia. On March 2,1966, she was Blessed with a daughter and Best Friend, Crystal Marie Wardlaw Poke. On May 2, 1992, she was joined in Holy Matrimony to James Clarence McKay. Upon graduating from High School, Beatrice moved to Newark, New Jersey to begin life as a young adult and later decided to move to Atlanta in 1968. Beatrice was faithful to everything she did. She was a Jill of all trades and held several occupations such as Cashier/Makeup Artist at Eckerd Drug Store, Ward Clerk at West Paces Ferry Hospital, Insurance Agent for Booker T. Washington Insurance Company and lastly Manager of the Central Examining Unit for Georgia Department of Labor where she retired with over 25+ years of service. While she was affectionally and respectfully known as Mother McKay and Mama Bea, her Name Beatrice which means “Blessed” and “She who brings happiness,” describes her perfectly and defines the ministry that was placed on her life. She never met anyone she was not willing to help. She believed that everyone deserved an opportunity to do, and to be better. Whether it was a job, food, a place to live or even a listening ear she was determined to help. She was an active member of Hunter Hill 1st Missionary Baptist Church and served on several auxiliaries such as Courtesy Guild, Sunday school teacher, Pastor’s Support, Funeral Coordinator, Healing Hands Ministry, New Members and Mother’s Board Ministry. Beatrice was always the life of any party and found great joy in spending time with family and friends. She was a great host and one of her greatest attributes was her delicious southern cooking, followed by dancing to old school music and a good game of bid whist. Another one of Beatrice’s favorite things to do was shopping. What’s important to note is she was not just a shopper, she ministered to store personnel, and they knew one another by name greeting her with excitement whenever she entered the store. She also enjoyed cheering for and watching her favorite football team, the Atlanta Falcons. Having lived a life of Godliness, purpose and love, Beatrice leaves to continue her legacy, James C. McKay, husband; Crystal Marie Wardlaw Poke, daughter; Jarvis Vinson, Michael McKay, Nathaniel Christopher McKay, Richard Price, and Eric Sean Price, step-sons; Calvin Christopher Smith and Caleb Lynn Wardlaw, grandsons; Ryleigh Jean Marie and Cayla Nicole Lynn, Granddaughters; Prisca Lynn Lawson god-daughter; and many nieces, nephews and god-children that will cherish her memory.

Beatrice Mckay

May 4, 1947 - March 17, 2026