Beatrice D. Polk was born in Cleveland, Ohio on May 30, 1949. She was the eighth of twelve children and the eldest living daughter to the late Joseph and Catherine Wiley. Beatrice, affectionately known to many as Bea Bea, or auntie Bea was called home suddenly on July 24, 2024.
Beatrice accepted Christ at an early age. She received her early years of education within The Cleveland School System, attending O. W. Holmes for elementary, Patrick Henry for middle school and Glenville High School. Although she did not receive her high school diploma, she went on to accomplish wonderful things.
After already knowing and dating for several years prior Beatrice married the love of her life, Ozell Polk Jr. on May 12, 1969, and to that union were born their 2 children Natika and Kareem.
Beatrice became a caregiver, working in many Nursing homes as a Nursing Assistant and in Home Care throughout the city. Once she became The Matriarch of her family, she settled into her role beautifully, as she loved her family. She especially loved babies, if you were close to her and had a new baby, she would make it her business to visit and pour out lots of love on the babies. She also loved to and in her younger days enjoyed cooking. On about every Holiday the people who knew her knew if they stopped by her house, they could get a satisfying meal! And if you really knew her, you knew her favorite way to have fun and relax was to go to the Casino, and she was always a lucy and blessed woman. She will be missed greatly.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 42 years Ozell Polk Jr., her brothers Joe Wiley (Fannie-deceased), Willie Wiley, Leon Wiley (Delores-deceased), Floyd Wiley and Pearlie May Anderson.
Beatrice leaves behind to cherish her memories her children Natika and Kareem, grandchildren Travelle Jackson (Marybell), and Niamke Shakur. Her 2 great grandsons, Travelle Jackson Jr., and Amiri Fernando Shakur- Hollis. Her brother Forrest Wiley and 2 younger sister Kathleen Spain and Maralyn Wiley, and a host of nieces, nephews, brother in-laws, cousins, and dear friends.