Beatrice O. Emmert
October 9, 1934 – February  2, 2024

Beatrice Louise Emmert, also known as "Bea," was born October 9, 1934, to William Alonzo O'Neal and Sybil Leona Manning in Engelhard, NC.

At age fourteen she moved to Washington, NC with her parents, where she attended and graduated from Washington High School.

On July 10, 1953 (Bea) married David Silverthorne (deceased) who was the father of her two sons Silver Jean Silverthorne, Dana D. Silverthorne who survives, and a daughter, Janel D. Silverthorne Rowe (deceased). She is also survived by her sister Mary Joyce Modlin, four grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, as well as two nieces and two nephews.

However, on December 30, 1990, Bea married the man she said was the one true love of her life Phil Emmert who survives. She also proudly claims as her own Phil's four children, Keith (Suzanne), Dennis (Roberta), Michael (Debra), Shannon (Felix) and Phil's eleven grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.

Bea led an interesting life. She and her sister picked cotton and worked in tobacco fields as children. After graduating from high school, Bea graduated from Cosmetology School. However, she never obtained her license as she was unable to do her internship. Bea worked as head cashier for A&P grocery store. She later worked on the water for four years catching shrimp, pulling crab pots and dredging oysters.

She was employed by the Hyde County Department of Social Services for twenty-three years as a Medicaid worker and fraud investigator. She got the job this way; she didn't qualify for food stamps one year during a hard time. So, as she left the agency that day, she asked them for a job and got it.

But perhaps the job she most enjoyed was her work as a waitress. She was employed at several restaurants until long after she retired from DSS. She even operated her own restaurant for a while at the old Engelhard Hotel.

She was elected as Hyde County Commissioner and was chairperson of the board during the very troubled time of recovery and rebuilding Hyde County after Hurricane Isabel in 2003.

Bea was a faithful Christian, worshiping in several Church of Christ churches wherever her husband Phil was preaching.

Little children and stray animals often listened to her soft voice and felt her loving touch. Bea dearly loved church and she taught small children in Sunday School before her health failed. However, even after that, if she was able to get out of bed on Sunday morning, she was in church.

The family will gather with friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., on Monday, February 5, 2024, at the funeral home.

A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at Fulford Cemetery. Pastor Eddie Gurganus will officiate.

Arrangements are by Bryan Funeral Service, Swan Quarter.