Her Journey

Minnie Beatrice Cunningham Perdue entered into this life on October 2, 1930 in Dillwyn, Virginia.  She is the oldest daughter born to Shirley Cunningham Brown.  She was educated in the public school system and graduated from Buckingham County High School in 1948.  She frequently attended the high school reunions when she moved back to Virginia.

Minnie Bea   continued her education by attending Beth Israel Hospital School of Nursing in Boston, Massachusetts and received her Nursing Certificate in 1959.  Being a big proponent for education, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Case Western University in Ohio, an Associate degree in Substance Abuse from Mercy College in Detroit, Michigan and a Master of Art degree in Counseling from the University of Detroit.  She not only encouraged others to get an education, she also set the example for them to follow.

Minnie Bea   met the love of her life while serving in the Navy.  She was attending training in Washington, DC and went into the mess hall for a meal.  That was where Peter L. Perdue first caught sight of her.  At the time he was assigned to Naval Security, so he decided to go "investigate", and the rest is history.  Five years later, on September 30, 1961, they were married. That union lasted the rest of her life – 62 years.  They lived all across the US in Washington, DC, Ohio, Illinois, Colorado, Michigan and Virginia.  They also traveled the world together vacationing in Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, Uruguay, Peru, and Galapagos Islands, Ecuador in South America; Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda in Africa; Spain, Sweden, and France in Europe; Australia and New Zealand.  She also traveled with her nurses' group to China.  There were only 2 places they wanted to go that they missed – Russia and Alaska.

Bea   was active in her community.  She was a founder and major contributor of the Rockfish Community Center, volunteered as a school nurse in the Rockfish School System and was active in the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity. She was a member of Union Baptist Church in Afton, Virginia where she taught Sunday School and served as the church nurse. Her interests also included shopping anytime and anywhere, gardening, swimming, dancing, and arranging flowers.  She even won a first-place blue ribbon at the Nelson County Garden Club for her flower arrangements.

Bea is survived by her beloved husband, Peter L. Perdue; her sister, Nancy Davenport of Virginia Beach; two sisters-in-law, Annie J. Poe and Bessie L. Johnson of Birmingham, Alabama and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Funeral service will be held 11 a.m., Saturday, June 1, 2024 at O. H. Smith & Son Funeral Home.  Viewing will be from 10 a.m. until the hour of the service.  O. H. Smith & Son Funeral Home is honored to serve the family.