Beatrice Bannister Carlton

Bea was born January 14, 1923 in Birmingham, Alabama, the youngest of four children. She married the love of her life, Milo Clifton Carlton, on September 5, 1944, in Birmingham, Alabama soon after he returned from serving our country in World War II. On August 19, 1946, Milo and Bea founded Milo's Hamburgers where she worked alongside Milo for over 40 years. She will always be remembered for her smiling face at the Milo's window.

In 1980, Milo and Bea began franchising the Milo’s restaurants with their youngest son, Ronald "Ronnie" Dean Carlton, and daughter in law, Sheila Wright Carlton. In 1989, they began fresh brewing, bottling and selling Milo’s Famous Tea in grocery stores. Eventually the family sold the restaurant division, but Milo’s Tea Company is still owned by the Carlton family and carries on Bea and Milo’s tradition of producing all natural drinks, just like they did 70 years ago. Bea still worked with her family at Milo’s Tea and enjoyed attending an employee cookout just a few weeks ago.

Bea truly never met a stranger and absolutely loved being around people. She had a magnetic personality and was known for her generosity and kind spirit.

Bea was preceded in death by her husband, Milo, her parents and all of her siblings. She is survived by her two sons, Milo “Mike” Clifton Carlton and his wife, Debra Carlton, and Ronald “Ronnie” Carlton and his wife Sheila Wright Carlton; four granddaughters, Patricia “Tricia” Kathryn Carlton Wallwork, Mary Kathryn Carlton Hillier, Angela Sue Carlton and Leslie Hogan Aven, as well as seven great grandchildren, Carlton David Wallwork, Kathryn Elizabeth Wallwork, Noah Wright Aven and Abigail “Abby” Grace Aven, Katelyn Hillier Carlton, Rachel Hillier Carlton and Trey Scott Hillier.

Bea was a devoted and active member of Cahaba Heights United Methodist Church.

Services will be held at Ridout's Southern Heritage Funeral Home, 475 Cahaba Valley Road in Pelham, Alabama on Monday August 10, 2015. The family will receive visitors from 9-11 a.m. with a memorial service beginning at 11 a.m. and a private graveside service immediately following.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to Cahaba Heights United Methodist Church at 3139 Cahaba Heights Road, Birmingham, Alabama 35243.