Dr. Beatrice Louico Asbury Houston, affectionately called, "Bea", began her earthly life on October 14, 1935 and exchanged it for her eternal home on January 10, 2016. She was the second of three children born to the union of Louico Cecil and Lutelle Locke Asbury, in Salisbury, NC. As an infant, she was baptized at Bethel AME Zion Church, Kannapolis, NC where her father pastored. When Bea was fourteen months old, her father was appointed to Mt Calvary AME Zion Church in Monroe, NC. At Mt Calvary, she regularly attended Sunday school, taught bible school, sang in the choir and played the piano. Bea attended the public schools in Monroe, NC and graduated as the valedictorian from Winchester High School, Monroe, NC at the age of fifteen. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts, with honors, from Livingstone College, Salisbury, NC; she recently celebrated her sixtieth anniversary from her beloved, "LC". Bea also earned a Masters of Arts degree after attending Atlanta University, Atlanta, GA and NC A&T State University, Greensboro, NC. She received the Fourth Annual Bishop's Award in 2008 from Hood and she was honored by the Daughters of Conference for being the founder and promoter of the AAMP project. As a result of many years of dedicated service and commitment to the AME Zion Church, Hood Theological Seminary bestowed upon her an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity in 2009. Bea was a retired elementary teacher having given more than thirty years in the Rowan, Lee and Greensboro City schools. On July 25, 1956, Bea wed the love of her life, James L. Houston, in Monroe, NC. Their union produced two daughters. After her marriage, she joined Third Creek AME Zion Church, Cleveland, NC where she served as a pianist for the Young Adult Choir. In the 1960's, Bea joined Trinity AME Zion Church, Greensboro, NC where she served faithfully until her death. While at Trinity before her health declined, she was a member of the Stewardess Board #2 (former chaplain), Lay Council (former co-leader of leaders), Sanctuary Choir (former president), Assistant Sunday School teacher, Evening bible study class, October Birthday Club, and Daughters of Conference (former president). In 1985, while president of the Daughters of Conference, God used Bea as an instrument to establish the Adopt-A-Minster Project (AAMP) to support ministers who wanted to enroll in Hood Theological Seminary. Under her leadership with the Daughters at Trinity, this has become a successful vision. The Daughters adopt a man or woman who has answered the call to ministry and pay for their tuition and all their books. The adoptee pays nothing back when they graduate, but they must give service to the AME Zion Church. During her tenure as president, they paid for the following graduates: Rev. Dr. Eric Leake, Rev. Dr. T. Anthony Spearman, Rev. Marlene Jones, Rev. Dr. David McLean, Rev. Dr. Tyrone Rigsby, Rev. Lisa Caldwell and Sister Margo Gaddy. Bea's civic and community involvement included: Board of Trustee of Hood Theological of Hood Theological for two terms, Salisbury, NC; Trustee Emeritus of Hood Theological Seminary; member of the Professional Advisory Board of Hospice; Greensboro, NC, Reach to Recovery Trainer for the American Cancer Society; Bible Study Fellowship International Leader for 6 years; Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sorority, Inc.; and local and national member of Livingstone Alumni Association. Bea was a wonderful friend, confidante, caregiver, encourager, astute bible scholar and brilliant educator who touched the lives of many. She had a great sense of humor, and was kind, caring, creative and generous. Bea began her Christian journey early, and had a personal relationship with God. Her faith was strong, and she loved God and her family very much. In her spare time, she enjoyed reading, writing, music, traveling, and cooking. She was preceded in death by her parents, sister, Celestine Branch, and husband. Those left to mourn her loss are: her daughters, Karen H. Umstead (Craig), Garner, NC, and Carmen H. Humphrey (Norman), Ashburn, VA; brother, Thomas E. Asbury (Doris), Charlotte, NC; sisters-in-law, Clara H. Graham, Charlotte, NC, Myrl H. Thomas, Salisbury, NC, and Pearl Todd Houston, Cleveland, NC; brother-in-law, John Robert Houston, Cleveland, NC; grandchildren, Alexander C. Umstead, Winston-Salem, NC, Caitlyn A. Umstead, Garner, NC, and Taylor S. Humphrey, Ashburn, VA; and a host of nieces, nephews, and other family and friends. A service honoring the life of Dr. Beatrice Louico Asbury Houston will be held on Saturday January 16, 2016 at Trinity AME Zion Church, 631 East Florida Street, Greensboro, North Carolina 27406.The visitation will begin at 11:00 am and the service will follow at 12:00 pm. The interment will take place at Lakeview Memorial Park, 3600 N Ohenry Boulevard, Greensboro, North Carolina, 27405.