Obituary of Beatrice Sturgill Lynch

August 31, 1931 – February 20, 2019

 

Beatrice Sturgill Lynch was born in Pikeville, Kentucky, on August 31, 1931.  Beatrice attended Pikeville High School and was a member of the Pikeville High School marching band playing French Horn.   

In 1950, Beatrice married, David Vaughn Lynch from Betsey Layne, Kentucky. David was an associate minister to Pastor Carl Layne, a founder of the Freewill Baptist Church. 

After the birth of their first child, Debra Ann, they moved to Michigan following the steel and automotive industry migration to the north.  In Michigan, David and Beatrice founded the first Free Will Baptist Church in Michigan.  The church began in their garage, later moving into a store front.  David was the pastor, while Beatrice was the Sunday school teacher and pianist.  Beatrice handed out weekly scriptures for her students to memorize. 

In 1958, David and Beatrice, welcomed their second child, David Ithamar and in 1960, they welcomed their third child, Dinah Marie.

Beatrice and David remained married until his death in 2001.

Beatrice was a natural born business woman.  She started working at Hobbs with her sister and learned she had a gift working with people.  In Michigan, she worked in retail where she retired as a merchandise buyer and manager of a small shoe retailer.

She had many talents, including a love of music playing both the French horn and the piano.  She loved to sing gospel music, blue grass and country music.  Her first concert was George Jones at Pikeville High School.

Her Sunday dinners were a staple of the family. She was an exceptional cook, and she was repeatedly told, she “should have her own restaurant.”  From her Mother, Sarah Keathley Sturgill, she developed a great love for gardening, from roses, petunias, and her prized hibiscus plants, her pots and yard bloomed like an authentic nursery.

Of her many talents not listed, one of note is that she climbed trees into her 70’s. 

She loved Detroit Tiger baseball.  Baseball was a passion she shared with her father, Leo Sturgill.

Her greatest gift was her love and devotion to her family, her husband, children, granddaughter, great granddaughter, parents, brothers and sisters, and friends.   Her humanity, kindness, and ability to see value in all mankind no matter their station in life, made her beloved by everyone that knew her.

She lived a life of faith, the Bible was her favorite book, and her heart and mind held a deep love of the South, the beautiful mountains, and although she lived in Michigan, she longed to return to her “Old Kentucky Home.”

 

Beatrice is survived by:  

Debra Ann Lynch King, daughter, Woodhaven, Michigan;

Dinah Marie Lynch (Nancy), daughter, Royal Oak, Michigan;

Kara Marie King Steffen (Kyle), grandchild, Flat Rock, Michigan;

Brynn Marie Steffen, great grandchild, Flat Rock, Michigan;

Rockford Sturgill (Roberta), brother, Betsey Layne, Kentucky;

Leonard J. Sturgill (Ethel), brother, Betsey Layne, Kentucky

 

Beatrice is predeceased by:

David Vaughn Lynch, husband

David Ithamar Lynch, son

Leo Sturgill, father

Sarah Keathley Sturgill, mother

Kelsey Sturgill, brother

Mary Sturgill, sister

Della Mae Sturgill, sister

Marie Sturgill Hodson, sister

 

All services are entrusted to Lucas and Son Funeral Home, 2931 US-23, Pikeville, KY.