Funeral services for Virgie Mae Britt Beach, of Brookhaven, will be held today, Feb. 5, 2017, at 2 p.m. at  Macedonia Baptist Church with burial following in the church cemetery. Riverwood Family Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.

Visitation was held Saturday, Feb. 4, 2017, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home, and will continue today, Feb. 6, 2017, from 1 p.m. until time of service at the church.

Mrs. Beach, 78, lovingly known as “Aunt Bay” by her nieces, nephews and friends, died peacefully at her home Friday, Feb. 3, 2017, after a lengthy battle with cancer.

She was born June 13, 1938, in Brookhaven to Pauline and Pearlie Britt. She was a lifelong member of Macedonia Baptist Church. She graduated from West Lincoln High School, Copiah-Lincoln Community College and the University of Southern Mississippi, where she also earned a master’s degree. She began her teaching career in Lincoln County at Loyd Star at only 20 years of age and taught there for 37 years. At Loyd Star, she touched many children’s lives helping them to believe in their dreams and achieve their goals in life. When her name is mentioned in the community, “favorite teacher” is often associated with it. At Loyd Star, she was also recognized as a Star Teacher and the Lincoln County Teacher of the Year.

Mrs. Beach was preceded in death by her husband, Eddie Beach; her parents, her sister, Betty Britt Bessonette; her brother, Pearlie Britt; and a nephew, Mickey Cain.

Survivors include her brother, Gene “Moochie” Britt and wife Margaret, of Brookhaven; daughter-in-law Nelly Beach Bates, and two grandchildren, Heath Beach and wife Kayce and Kasey Beach Strickland and husband Brentley of Wiggins; four great-grandchildren; nephews, Harold Cain of Jackson, Larry Cain and wife Sherry, of Brookhaven, Ronnie Cain and wife Mandy, of Brookhaven, Kyle Britt; of Wesson, Russ Britt and wife Natalie, of Brookhaven, and Brad Britt and wife Shannon, of Brandon; and many great-nieces and great-nephews and other family members.

If you would like to leave a comment or word of sympathy to the Beach family, you may do so at www.riverwoodfamily.com.