Beatrice Ellen (Gemmill) Hitchings

Beatrice Ellen Hitchings, 91, of Petoskey, died July 3, 2021, at her home.

Beatrice “Bea” was born on January 22, 1930, the youngest of nine children of Horace and Daisy (Young) Gemmill. She grew up on her family’s 65-acre farmland, passed down from her grandfather and attended Petoskey public schools.

On February 14, 1948, she married Charles Hitchings, Jr. Together, they started a family and shared 51 years happily married until his death in 1999.

She had many different jobs over the years, from a small grocery store and the family produce stand as a teenager, to cleaning cottages on Crooked Lake and the Breenes Motel. She also worked at the F.W. Woolworth store as a personnel manager for close to 25 years.

She loved being a mother and was active in her daughter’s Girl Scout Troop and enjoyed watching her son in his stockcar races. In their free time, Bea and Charlie Jr. liked going to horse races.

She is survived by her son, Charles Hitchings, III (Bonnie) of Petoskey; grandchildren, Dawn, Bud III, Julie, Mindy, Sharon, and Jason; 11 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Charlie Hitchings, Jr.; their son, David J. Hitchings; and daughter, Diane Gray.

There will be a graveside service on Wednesday, July 7, 2021, promptly at 10:00 a.m. at Greenwood Cemetery, Petoskey. Rev. David Behling will officiate.

Arrangements are in the care of Stone Funeral Home, Inc.

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