Beatrice Irene Groves

Beatrice “Bea” Irene Groves, 81, of Stafford, Virginia passed away on Monday, October 16, 2017. Bea was born in Washington, DC on December 16, 1935, the oldest of two daughters to Raymond T. Wenttang and Katherine F. Totten. Bea was a mischievous sort, always playing practical jokes on her friends and family. From onion gum to werewolf masks, Bea was a master at making other people laugh. She loved animals, often taking care of the strays her kids brought home and dropped on her - including a pony. But Bea never liked her sons’ hog-nosed snake that broke out and lived in her daughter’s boxspring. Bea finally caught that snake and may God rest its soul. Bea enjoyed the finer things in life, including chrome and glass furniture, clip-on earrings, colorful (yet functional) clothing, and literary greats such as the National Enquirer and Harlequin romance novels. Her favorite snacks included powdered donuts, packaged pastries, and orange jelly slice candy. She also loved to cook and bake. Bea’s favorite dishes were often made with Perdue chicken breasts, sausage balls, and fried wontons. Her meals were entertaining as well as delicious and will be painfully missed. She is survived by her daughter, Laura Gluchowski; sons Robert Ryder, Daniel Ryder, and Kenneth Ryder; step-sons James Groves and Ernest Groves; several grandchildren and multiple great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Clayton Groves; sister Elaine Ida Owens; and daughter Katherine Belinda Ryder. The family will receive friends at 11:00am on Friday, October 20, 2017 at Mullins and Thompson Funeral Service, Stafford. Interment will follow at 1:00pm at Quantico National Cemetery.