Funeral service will be 2:00 P.M. on Sunday, December 29, 2024, at Mt. Calvary AME Church, Navassa, NC.  Burial will follow in the Mears Cemetery, Navassa, NC. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service on Sunday.

Beatrice Willis Kinston, daughter of the late Alexander Willis and Lannie Merrick Willis, was born on July 26, 1924, in Navassa, North Carolina.  She departed this life on December 24, 2024.  Beatrice was number three in a family of fifteen children.  She was pre-deceased by all but two of them.  Beatrice accepted Christ at an early age and joined Mt. Calvary AME Church.  She served faithfully as a senior choir member and a Stewardess.  Beatrice received her education in the Brunswick County and New Hanover County School Systems.  She graduated from Williston Industrial High School in 1943.  The following year she studied Cosmetology at Deshazor's Beauty College in Durham, North Carolina.  On June 5, 1948, Beatrice Willis was united in Holy Matrimony to Joseph Kinston, Jr.  To this union five children were born.  In addition to her parents, Beatrice was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Kinston, Jr.; two sons, Maurice and Brian; and twelve of her siblings.  Her love and memories will remain in the hearts of her children, Gilda Waddell (Charles) of Leland, NC; Deborah Kinston-Chappell, and Sheila Kinston both of Charlotte, NC; one brother Alphonza Willis (Lucinda) of Bridgeport, Connecticut and one sister, Armour Douthit of Navassa, NC; 13 grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.