Beatrice Valentine "Bea" Barrera

Beatrice Valentine “Bea” Barrera, age 104 of Puryear, TN, died Friday, May 8, 2020, at the Farms of Puryear.

She attended Mound City Business College in St. Louis, MO.  Bea worked as a cashier, bookkeeper, and machine operator for Fair Mercantile in St. Louis for 30 years, retiring in 1972.  After retirement, she worked as a volunteer at St. Louis Lutheran Hospital and St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church.  In 1990, Bea and her husband moved to and made their home in Puryear, TN.

Bea was born August 8, 1915, in Buchanan, TN, to the late Charles Thomas Valentine and the late Bertha Snyder Valentine.

She was married October 20, 1956, to her husband of 57 years, Ralph Barrera, who preceded her in death on May 2, 2014.

She is survived by four nieces, Lola Bailey of Henry, TN, Louise Wall of Springville, TN, Irma Lemke of San Antonio, TX, and Vicki Valentine of Puryear, TN; two grand nieces, Heather Hughes of Maryland, and Mitzi Parker of Nashville, TN; two grand nephews, Cregg Parker of Alaska and Jim Valentine of Paris, TN; and one great grandnephew, Noah Valentine of Paris, TN.

In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by one sister, Beulah Valentine Paschall; three brothers, C.T Valentine, David Valentine, and John Valentine; three half sisters, Alice Ray, Elsie Sweatt, and Effie Jackson; one sister-in-law, Lorene Valentine; niece, Janna Valentine Hughes; two nephews, Charles Henry Valentine and Jimmy Valentine.

Arrangements are being handled by Ridgeway Funeral Home, 201 Dunlap Street, P.O. Box 788, Paris, TN 38242.  A private graveside service will be held with Rev. Martin Orjianioke officiating.

Family will serve as pallbearers and honorary pallbearers.

Burial will be in Puryear City Cemetery, in Puryear, TN.