Beulah Beatrice Groves was born June 9, 1925 to the late Noisy Stewart Groves and the late Vada Ernice Chapman Groves in Nicholas County, WV. She entered her heavenly home Apr. 27,2026.
She was the 4th born of nine children: Lucille Nelson (dec); Camille Williamson (dec); Walter “Shorty” Groves (dec); Thelma Fox of Tampa, FL; Ruth Reed (dec); John Lewis Groves of White Sulphur Springs; Phyllis Murphy of White Sulphur Spring; and Shirley Lewis (James) of Huntington. She often spoke with joy of them, and the way they used to “live up on the mountain.” The stories she told were of happy children running the mountainside doing chores like milking the cow, churning butter, raising chickens, bartering with merchants, carrying water from the spring, wearing coveralls and dresses made from free-hand drawn patterns and attending a one-room schoolhouse. The great depression was where her work ethic and thrift were born.
This is where her teacher rode to school on a horse and built a fire in the stove before the children would come. Students walked to school, some were close but some walked many miles. In this one-room schoolhouse, she got to listen to lessons above her grade level and very much enjoyed learning with science being her favorite subject.
At the age of 21, Beatrice Beulah wed Elmer Wyatt Fury (deceased Apr. 26, 1976). They lived in the town of White Sulphur Springs and moved to Tuckahoe Road in the mid-sixties where she continued to reside in the same home. That patch of land was rocky but with much labor, she harvested a plenty, constantly canning fruits and vegetables for the lean winter months, where a pot of brown beans was always on the wood stove, and where her sons kept the family in wild meat especially deer and fish which she “put up.” She never lost a taste for those things, to which she attributes much of her good health, living well past 100 years. Betty as she was known by most, worked diligently with her hands, making blessings out of whatever she touched, while leaning on her Lord and Savior for strength and guidance.
She has been a lifelong homemaker: therefore, a seamstress, fixer of broken stuff, a nurse of bruises and cuts, a cleaner upper, a non-stop cook, an organizer, a laundress and much, much, more. In the later years, she became an avid quilter, making over 1000 quilts and gifting them to family, church family, friends, acquaintances, and new born babies. She was a CHAMPION Scrabble player and loved to play it with family, as well as Sudoku, keeping her mind mentally sharp. Reading the Bible every morning and night has kept her spiritually focused and at the center of God’s will.
With all that being said, she claims being a Christian Mother, as her greatest role. Raising 10 children, 5 boys and 5 girls all of which love her dearly. Her children who have preceded her in death are: Roger Dale Fury, (WSS), Barbara Joan Benge (Caldwell), and Mary Sandra Lockhart (Ronceverte).
Her living children honor her, rising up, and calling her blessed are: Steve Fury (Becky) of Lewisburg; Pastor Donald Fury of White Sulphur Springs; Hazel Greenwall of Yawkey, WV; Albert Fury of White Sulphur Springs; James Fury (Shirley) of White Sulphur Springs; Lucy Hamann of Greenville, WV; and Ruth Ridgeway (Billy) also of White Sulphur Springs.
As we prepared for her 100th birthday party in 2025, we drew the family tree and did the math. With 10 children, 25 grandchildren, and 79 great- and great-great grandchildren, she currently has a total of 114 descendants. It is her prayer that all receive the Lord as their Savior and go on to serve him. That would be her greatest legacy. She loved the Family of God Church, located just off Route 92, with Pastors John Kelly, and Steve Hudnall where she faithfully attended.
For those who mourn her passing, take comfort in the scriptures, knowing to be absent from the body is to be present with Christ:
“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me (Christ Jesus). In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” John 14: 1-3.
“She has fought the good fight, she has finished her course, she has kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for her the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, has given her today; and not only to her, but also will give to all them that love his appearing.” 2 Timothy: 4:7-8
Funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, Apr. 30, at Wild Meadow Baptist Church, Rt. 92 White Sulphur Springs, with Pastors John Kelly and Steve Hudnall officiating. Burial will follow in Hillcrest Cemetery, White Sulphur Springs.
Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday.
Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home in White Sulphur Springs is in charge of arrangements. Please send online condolences by visiting www.WallaceandWallaceFH.com
