Birth Date: 09/01/1938
Deceased Date: 12/17/2024
Beverley Jayne Whitehurst Braswell, age 86, passed away peacefully in the early hours of December 17, 2024, having been lovingly cared for by her close family for several years. She was preceded in death by her husband of nearly 70 years, Spencer Thornton Braswell, just two months prior. Services will be held at First Baptist Church in Smithfield, NC on Saturday, December 21st with visitation starting at 1:30pm and memorial service to follow at 3:00pm.
Beverley was born September 1, 1938 in Raleigh, NC to the late Pearl Liles Whitehurst and Leon Whitehurst. An extrovert who made fast friends to whom she was fiercely loyal, she was also an avid walker who enjoyed nature, a member and hostess of her bridge club, and—as her family and friends would be quick to tell you—loved to talk. Her signature mischievous grin, complete with a twinkle in her eye, would promptly procure a laugh or smile. Gifted with talent for organization and design, she was light-hearted, quick-witted, and abundantly giving. Beverley was a strong matriarch who kept a welcoming home, the cherished center of Braswell family life.
Beverley’s formative years were spent living with her grandmother, Pearl Terry Liles, who partly raised her, in Raleigh just a few blocks from the State Capitol. Though an only child, she was always near her beloved Aunts Ruth, Lou, Nell, and many cousins of the Liles family with whom she was close their whole lives.
At age 13, Beverley moved to Smithfield with her stepmother, Pearl, and father, Leon—someone Beverley deeply admired and frequently extolled with her recurrent refrain, “my Daddy was a good man.” Her time was spent downtown flitting from Pearl’s beauty salon to her Uncle Cecil’s service station, her grandparents’ country store, and the dance studio for lessons. It was dance class that changed the course of her life. A young man named Spencer Braswell drove his sister, Helen, to dance class each week and, before long, Beverley and Spencer were inseparable. Thus began a relationship that would far surpass the trite descriptor “high school sweethearts.”
Beverley and Spencer married and raised two sons, Gary and Greg, in South Smithfield where they lived for nearly 70 years. Their marriage was an emulation-worthy model of hardworking commitment, kindred partnership, deep love, and genuine joy. When “Nana” was asked by grandchildren Spencer and Hillary how she had such a wonderful marriage, she replied, “find someone who is kind”—a trait that both she and her husband had in spades.
Beverley graduated from Smithfield High School where she was a majorette in the band, basketball player, and Glee Club member, inspiring her to encourage her children and grandchildren to pursue interests in sports and the arts. She worked a more than 40-year career in medical reception and administration with Dr. Thomas Johnson and later at Smithfield Fire and EMS, where she was adored as their motherly figure.
At age 13, Beverley joined First Baptist Church in Smithfield where she remained a member for 73 years. She served on the Decorating Committee and was responsible for several major remodels of church facilities. After a long membership in the Fidelis Sunday School Class, Beverley volunteered to serve as Treasurer for the Dorcas Class which was in need of a younger woman’s help. Beverley and Spencer frequently provided rides, taught Sunday School, chaperoned youth group retreats, and diligently served as greeters and volunteers for church events and services.
Her family and friends loved her dearly and will miss her more than words can say.
Beverley is survived by son and daughter-in-law, Gary and Barbara Braswell; son and daughter-in-law, Greg and Janis Braswell; and grandchildren, Spencer Braswell and Hillary Braswell; all of Raleigh, NC.
In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully suggests that memorials be made to First Baptist Church, 202 S 4th St, Smithfield, NC 27577; or Transitions Life Care, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at parrishfh.com.
