Beverly Ainsworth

On October 11, 1943, Beverly Ann Rouse was born in Lumberton, MS to Betsy and Harvey Rouse. She grew up on the family farm with her two brothers, Reggie and Billy Joe. She developed her strong work ethic and love of animals while attending school and working on the farm. She was a great storyteller and would often talk about life on the farm, all her extended family, her dear friends from childhood, and church family at Little Black Creek Baptist Church. It was in this forge that Beverly was made. After graduating from Lumberton High School, Beverly attended Pearl River Junior College where she excelled academically and was a cheerleader. By the time she graduated, Beverly had grown into a beautiful, caring, graceful, sophisticated woman.

In 1964, Beverly became Mrs. Charles Ainsworth, a marriage that lasted nearly 60 years. They moved to Gulfport where she worked as a beautician and homemaker. After a move to Atlanta, Beverly worked as a high stylist for a posh salon. Following Hurricane Camille Charles and Beverly settled in Kenner, to be closer to family. She became a fulltime homemaker and artist. The nieces and nephews were thrilled to get attention from their Aunt Beverly. She was truly a great aunt. She made clothes for the nieces, took them on shopping sprees, taught them how to do their hair beautifully and other feminine arts. As for the nephews, it was all about the cooking and desserts.

Beverly was kind and caring to all who knew her. After the death of her father, Charles and Beverly brought her ailing mother, Betsy, to live with them. She cared for Betsy for 9 years without complaint although it was an often-difficult task. She never complained about anything. Always the cheerleader, she helped others, teaching and urging them on. She took action or found solutions when needed, but said nothing negative or disparaging. She worked with her church to improve the community.

Beverly was extremely talented and creative. She excelled at everything she did. Among her passions were drawing, painting, home decorating, sewing, and landscaping. She was a fabulous artist. Not only could she paint lovely canvases and draw anything, but mastered many special painting techniques, like Venetian plaster, to decorate her home. She could sew any window treatment. She created beautiful, one-of-a-kind furniture. She could make anything grow and did landscaping for her own house as well as others.

She was a classically trained pianist, but she loved to play and sing hymns, especially the old ones. She had been choir director at her home church for a time, but also sang in the choir at Kenner Baptist. She conducted Bible studies in her home. She was a true Proverbs 31 woman. She loved Jesus, her Savior. On July 6th, Beverly went to sleep holding Charlie’s hand and woke up in Jesus’ arms.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 AM on Saturday, July 13, 2024 at Little Black Creek Baptist Church in Lumberton, MS where family will receive friends from 9:00 AM until service time. Brother Jessie Ladner will officiate and burial will follow at Little Black Creek Cemetery assisted by Skip Gill, Roger Sosa, Jeff Knott, Jeff Clinton, Kirk Ainsworth, and Justin Holstin as pallbearers.