Gracie Beatrice Nettingham

Gracie Beatrice Nettingham died peacefully at home surrounded by her family on March 13, 2024.

Born in Williamston, North Carolina in 1936, “Bea” was the daughter of Jasper and Marie Smith, who owned a farm in Martin county where they cultivated vegetables, tobacco and livestock.

This is where she acquired her love of gardening and agriculture. Her fondest childhood memories were playing outdoors with her younger brother Earl and admiring her three older sisters, Anne, Doris and Dottie.

After graduating from Williamston High School, she left home to attend North Carolina Central College (NCC), a historically black college in Durham, North Carolina. It was there she pledged and became a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. NCC is also the place where she caught the eye of Douglas Nettingham whom in 1959 would become her husband. The two had their first child, Pallas in 1962, followed by Renée in 1964, Tyche in 1971 and Douglas II in 1975.

After starting their early married life in Los Angeles, California, and Plainfield, New Jersey, the couple and their young family moved to New York City where Doug was studying at Columbia University for Master’s and EdD degrees. During this time, Bea helped to support the family as a homemaker and tutor. She was a loving mother and good friend to all who came in contact with her. Blessed with a green thumb, she always knew the tricks for growing all sorts of plants and vegetables in their tiny Manhattan apartment.

In 1974 the family moved to Montclair, New Jersey, where they bought a home and raised their children.

Bea’s professional work life was solidly centered around executive recruitment and equal employment opportunity. She held upper management positions at Job Corp, UA Columbia Cablevision of New Jersey, Katharine Gibbs School, New Horizons Inc., United Church of Christ and County of Essex, New Jersey. She also founded the nonprofit organization Minorities in Cable and executive recruitment firm PRET Associates.

Most will fondly remember Bea for her beautiful smile, friendly disposition and for being a smart and insightful conversationalist. Friends and neighbors will remember her as always having a kind word for all that crossed her path.

Bea is survived by her devoted children

Pallas Bowers, Renée Nettingham, Tyche Nettingham, Douglas Nettingham (Jamie Steiger), grandchildren Vanessa Bowers and Tadley Nettingham, a sister Dottie Amado, and a host of family and friends. She was preceded in death by her loving husband Douglas and three siblings Anne Brown, Doris Rhinehart, Jasper Earl Smith. She will be greatly missed by all.

Private Interment.

Fairview Cemetery,

Westfield, New Jersey.