Beatrice Rodriguez

Ms. Beatrice Rodriguez of Tampa, Florida, transitioned to her heavenly home on Thursday, January 13, 2022. Celebration of Life Services will be held on Saturday, January 22, 2022, 11:00 a.m. at Rest Haven Memorial Park Cemetery, 4615 E. Hanna Avenue, Tampa, FL 33610 with Pastor Michael B. Price, officiating. MASKS RECOMMENDED. Interment will follow at Rest Haven Memorial Park Cemetery.

A native of Tampa, Beatrice Tabor was born on January 27, 1935, to Mittie Mae and Aaron Tabor. She grew up in West Tampa surrounded by a close-knit community of families, friends, churches, and social activities. In 1957 she married Francisco A. Rodriguez and began the very active life of raising three children while also supporting her husband’s work as an attorney, a leader in Tampa’s Civil Rights movement and a minister in the A.M.E church. During the Civil Rights years Beatrice attended local meetings, hosted gatherings at their home, accompanied Francisco on speaking engagements and traveled throughout the United States to attend conferences with him. Beatrice also served as the First Lady and Mother of the Church at St. James A.M.E. church in Progress Village during her husband’s tenure as pastor and for many years after his passing. She later joined the Agape Christian Church and formed many lasting friendships that nourished her spiritually and enriched her life. Beatrice was employed as a long-distance telephone operator with GTE for over twenty-five years. Upon retirement, she devoted her life to caring for her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She later married David Snow and they enjoyed life together.

Affectionately known as Bea, Auntie Bea, and Miss Bea, she loved all kinds of music and she loved to dance. She was an avid gardener. She adorned her home with colorful collections of ceramic clowns and birds. She was excited about traveling and took many trips with her daughters. With a smile that lit up the world around her, Bea had a generosity of spirit that defined her life. She leaves a legacy of beauty, grace and dignity that will be remembered and honored.

Beatrice is preceded in death by her husbands, Francisco A. Rodriguez and David Snow; sisters, Eloise Leek, Maurice Green, and Hazel Cressie; brothers, Aaron Tabor and Edward Tabor; brothers-in-law, Robert Leek and Perman Green.

She leaves to cherish loving memories, her sister, Theresa Delancy, and a tremendous legacy of love in her children, Cheryl Rodriguez, Deborah Rodriguez, and Andrei Rodriguez; step-sons, John Rodriguez and Jerry Couzens; grandchildren, Erica Jensen, Kiersten Jensen, Jessica Jensen, Erin Jensen, Joy Watkins, Chante Rodriguez, Prechae Rodriguez, Marcelino Rodriguez, Sr. and DeAndre Rodriguez; great grandchildren, Alia Coleman, Satchel Puhr, Silas Puhr, Layla Beatrice McGee, Miliano Rodriguez, Camillo Rodriguez, Kazai Rodriguez, Marcelino Rodriguez, Jr. and Giada Rodriguez; devoted family members, Daphne Thomas, Samuel Puhr and  Isaac Totz; loving nieces, Yvonne Quarles, Yvette Barr, Linda Bealts, Janice Green, Carol Sams and Debora Davis; nephews, Robert Leek, Jr. and Paul Leek. Bea cherished family and had close relationships with cousins and other extended family members. She had an amazing network of people who meant so much to her, including childhood neighbors and friends, co-workers, church families, and many acquaintances whom she embraced with kindness.

Visitation will be held on Friday, January 21, 2022, 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Ray Williams Funeral Home, 301 N. Howard Ave., Tampa, FL 33606. MASKS RECOMMENDED.

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