Beatrice Rosetta (Cassels) Etienne

Beatrice "Bea" Rosetta (Cassels) Etienne was born on August 26, 1938, in Wheeling, West Virginia. She was the 8th of 11 children of George L. Cassels, Sr, and Anna Letta (Harris) Cassels of Smithfield, Ohio. She departed this life on Thursday, April 24th at the age of 86.

Bea matriculated through Smithfield High School and upon graduating in 1956, moved to Dayton, Ohio where she began her Career working as a GS-2 Clerk-Typist at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Bea retired in 1998 after her 42 years of service as a Contract Specialist in Procurement as a GS-13.

In 1959 Beatrice was Baptized in the Roman Catholic Church, She married Michel Etienne of Port au Prince Haiti in August of 1960 and remained a lifelong resident of Dayton, Ohio.  The Etienne family joined St. Agnes Parish and were active members for many years. Later in life Bea became a member of Trinity Presbyterian Church which she worshipped and fellowshipped with many friends especially Ms. Dorothy Baker, (Woodland, Washington).

Bea was a 1996 CLIMB graduate of Wilberforce University. Until her health declined, Bea was a dedicated member of the Dayton Chapter. She planned several chapter fundraisers which included casino bus trips and bus trips to the annual National Alumni Conferences. She also assisted with the management of the Dr. Vate E. and Edna Jackson Jr. Scholarship Fund at the University. More notably, in 1999, she volunteered to assemble the history of how and when the Dayton Chapter was chartered. All her efforts earned her a Distinguished Service Award at the 2006 National Conference. 

She and her companion, Dr. Vate E Jackson, enjoyed travelling the world and travelling they did. Over a 12-year time span, they traveled to every continent, including Antarctica.  Her favorite trip was to Africa, with her favorite adventure being a Safari. Bea lived her life to the fullest and it was a life well served.

Bea is preceded in death by her parents, George L. Cassels Sr. and Anna (Harris) Cassels; siblings, George L. Cassels Jr. (Blanche), Festus A Cassels, Ruth Jane (Robert), Mary A. Jackson (Donald), Mildred D. Rodriguez (Ed), Majorie M. Kirby (Ronald)  Peggy J. Jackson (Alvia); brothers-in-law, Taylor D. Dickerson and Leroy Long Sr.; life partner, Dr. Vate E, Jackson, Jr.; and granddaughter, Kelli Michelle McGill.

Survivors include her four children, Denise Etienne Shackelford (David) Carrollton, Georgia; Andre’ (Chanhl) Etienne, Dayton, Ohio, Florence L. Etienne Atlanta, GA, and Dr’s Leslie (Tambra) Etienne, Indianapolis, Indiana; grandchildren, Brandon (Kierra) McGill, Nashville Tennessee, Armand Etienne, Cincinnati, Ohio, Kadir Etienne, Indianapolis, Indiana, Jamier Boatman-Harrell New York, NY, Charmaine (Patrick) Bean, Houston, TX and Donavon Xayasith Los Angeles, California; great grandchildren, Korie and Alix Crosby (Stone Mountain, GA), Walker McGill, Keallin McGill and AJ Gilliam (Nashville Tennessee), Harlow, Hazel and Halyn Bean (Houston, TX); siblings, Arnette B. Long (Dayton, Ohio), Robert E.Cassels,(Springfield, Virginia), Helen (Earl) Stewart, (Woodbridge, Virginia), and sister-in-law, Doris Cassels (Cleveland, OH); plus a host of special nieces ,nephews, and friends.

Homegoing Service 11 am Monday, May 5, 2025 at House of Wheat Funeral Home, 2107 N. Gettysburg Ave., Dayton, OH. Visitation 9 am-11 am. Family will receive friends from 10-11 AM.

In Lieu of Flowers:

The Family of the late Beatrice Rosetta Cassels Etienne request memorial donations be made to one of the following charities in support of her passions.

Giving Hearts Client Choice Pantry 

1325 S. Park Street

Suite 1059

Carrollton, GA 30117      

 ℅ Denise Etienne-Shackelford

Website: givingheart-inc.org  

OR

Dayton Chapter Wilberforce University Alumni Association (WUAA)

P.O Box 1706

Dayton, OH 45401 (checks)

or

CashAPP: $WUAADAY

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