Beatrice J. (Carter) Lewis passed away early Monday morning August 8 ^th , 2011 at Cass Regional Medical Center in Harrisonville , MO at the age of 90 years and 6 months. She had been visiting there attending her great-grandson, David John Vignery's wedding. "Bea", as she was affectionately known by so many in the Concordia and surrounding areas, especially by her "Special" children better known as "Bea's Kids". She was born in Jamestown , Kansas on February 4, 1921, to James and Mary (Purdy) Carter. Bea spent most of her younger years there attending and graduating from Jamestown High School . Bea was very instrumental in developing the program for "Special Needs Children" in the Concordia and surrounding areas which then developed further into a State-wide program. She was honored many times in "Who's Who" for the State of Kansas and was still active in the program up until her passing. She married Clyde Lewis on February 29, 1940 and laughingly mentioned many times, she didn't have many anniversaries to celebrate due to being married on a leap year. To this marriage were born three daughters, June, Janette and Jackie.

To know Bea was an honor, she took what life gave her by the horns, never giving up and making life what she wanted it to be. Her passing is a broken link in our family and will be sadly missed. She was a wonderful mother, grand-mother and great-grandmother, but affectionately known to all of us simply as Grams. Our family chain is broken now and nothing seems the same, but as God calls us home, one, by one, the chain will link again.

Bea is survived by her daughters, June Knox and husband Ron of Edmond, OK, Janette Gelvin of Pleasant Hill, MO, and Jackie of the home; five grandchildren, Janelle Vignery and husband David of Harrisonville, MO, John Gelvin and wife Kim of Lee's Summit, MO, Jillmarie Yanchick and husband Jeff, Christopher Knox and wife Julie, Patrick Knox, all of Edmond,OK; 10 great-grandchildren, John Vignery and new wife Sarah, Katie Vignery, Kacie, Jay and EJ Gelvin, Brittany, Sarah and Karsten Yanchick, Lauren and Chris Knox, Jr.; sister-in-law, Maxine Kelly and husband Ross; brother-in-law, Bill Lewis; and a host of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Clyde ; her parents; her twin sister Barbara; and a brother, Paul.

Funeral Services will be held at 10 AM Monday, August 15, 2011 in the Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home, Concordia with Pastor Kip Nelson officiating. Interment will be in the Jamestown Cemetery , Jamestown . Visitation will be held from 1 – 8 PM Sunday, August 14, 2011 with family greeting friends from 6 – 8 PM in the Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home, Concordia. Memorials may be left to "Bea's Kids" in care of the funeral home.