Leta Bean

Leta Joyce Rea Brooke Bean, age 91, passed away June 5, 2022.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lewis and Mattie Rea; her sister Barbara Roper; her husbands, Robert V. Brooke (1995) and Billy V. Bean (2020).

Leta is survived by her daughters, Aliceanna B. Ward (Lyle) and Gretchen L. Dickason (Ken); her stepchildren, Margaret Jones (Rick), Ronnie Bean (Joyce), and Robert Bean; her siblings, Mrs. Harold Stokes (Eloise) and Mrs. Frank Amadon (Beverly); 3 grandchildren, James A. Ward, Rebecca L. Denis, and Kenneth A. Dickason, Jr.; step grandchildren, Kimberly Stringfield, Christopher Bean, Adrianne Helms, and Ricky Jones, Jr.

Leta J. Bean enlisted in the US Air Force to serve her country during the Korean conflict. While serving, she met and married Robert V. Brooke. As a military wife of 20 years, she followed Bob to as many duty stations as she was allowed. They were married for 42 years. She was a dedicated mother to their two daughters. After their daughters got married, she returned to school for her BA in early childhood education. With her love for children, she opened her our childcare business. Leta was also a Sunday School teacher and VBS worker.

After Bob’s death, she met and married Billy V. Bean. They had a mutual love for music and dancing; they enjoyed life together for 15 years. She enjoyed telling stories, playing dominoes, and collecting bird figurines. She loved fashion and will be remembered as “The Hat Lady”. She always dressed to the nines for church with her hat, suit, purse, and matching shoes, she was a “fashionista”.

The family wishes to thank the friends and members of Bel Aire Baptist Church for their prayers and support. They would also like to thank the staff of Southern Care Hospice for their support and professionalism the last month.

Visitation will be 10-11am, Thursday, July 7, 2022, at Riemann Family Funeral Home, Gulfport. Services will begin at 11am. Interment will be at the Biloxi National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Bel Aire Baptist Church Children Ministry, Gulfport, MS.

Riemann Family Funeral Home, Gulfport, is serving the family.