Marie Bean, a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and faithful woman of God, peacefully went home to be with the Lord on August 24, 2026, at the age of 87. For nearly nine decades, she blessed her family with a life defined by courage, grace, strength, and steadfast love.
On May 5, 1939, Marie made her debut in the world, born to Elizabeth Stringer and Samuel Brown in St. Louis, Missouri. The youngest of five children, Marie, affectionately known as "Baby Sister," grew into a strong woman whose unbreakable spirit and unshakable faith carried her through every season of life. Versatile, intelligent, creative, and multi-talented, Marie could prepare amazing meals, sing, sew, and bring beauty to whatever she touched. She was an avid reader who delighted in old Westerns and enjoyed country music along with many other genres.
Marie was a fighter, a survivor, and a thriver who carved a path for herself and her family while building a career of service in the medical field. Marie was the devoted mother of Paul, Kevin, and Diane, for whom she sacrificed and whom she loved with her whole soul. The love of her life was Bill Bean, with whom she shared 25 beautiful years, building a life, a family, and treasured memories until his passing. One of Marie's greatest roles was that of a proud grandmother and great-grandmother. Seeing her grandchildren grow through every stage of their lives—births, firsts, graduations, marriages, and having children of their own—and being there to help shape and mold them was a true joy for her and for them. She absolutely adored her great-grandchildren, who kept her young and cool as she imparted her pearls of wisdom. Marie loved her family fiercely, and as a stoic, godly matriarch, she played a pivotal role in shaping four generations. To her family, she was not just Mama, Granny Bean, aka Grand-Ma-Ma, aka Big, Big Grandma—she was their Queen. Her family is grateful for her life and the abundance of blessings she poured into every generation that followed her.
At the center of Marie's life was her deep and abiding faith in God. She did more than know His Word—she understood it, taught it, and modeled it through kindness, sincere gratitude, steadiness, humor, and love. She was a true reflection of God's grace and a living example of what it means to serve and love others faithfully. In her golden season, Marie often said, "I am good with God, and I am at peace." Nothing was truer.
Marie's legacy lives on in the wisdom she shared, the faith she demonstrated, the love she gave, and the example she set for her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, entire family, and all who have been blessed to know her. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her siblings, Samuel, Walter, and Waltee Brown; her son, Kevin Patten; her grandson, Scott; and her granddaughter, Brandi. She leaves to cherish her memory; (1) Daughter and Son-in- love;  Diane Luther (Clifford Jr.), Son, Paul Wilson; sister, Lula Ogelsby; her nephews and nieces,  Erskine, Donald, and Michael, and their families; grandchildren, Ebone (Patrick), Jessica, Mary, Morgan, and Kelli; her many great-grandchildren, among them Nicholas, Lucas, Grace, Judeaus, Bella, Clifford III, Damien, and Sienna; and the extended village of family, friends, and others she touched throughout her life. Ms. Marie Bean will be deeply missed on earth, but her family rejoices in knowing that she is now at peace in the presence of the Lord—joyfully dancing in Heaven with her "fancy feet."