Who Is Miss Bee? Unlocking Her True Identity
In life, some mysteries remain unresolved, questions left unanswered, and paths left untraveled. For my Mother, her journey began with a question that lingered throughout her life: Who was her birth mother? As she navigated the complexities of her identity, she longed to know the woman who brought her into this world.
My Mother's story is one of resilience, courage, and unwavering love. Despite the absence of her birth mother, she embraced life with an open heart and a spirit of compassion. She poured her love into every aspect of her being, leaving a profound impact on all who knew her.
In 2018, (several months before her passing in October 2018) my Mother shared her reflections on what her Mother meant to her in a heartfelt blog contribution.
“Sometimes when I look in the mirror and see the ever-increasing tiny brown moles growing on my face, I wonder, “did I get these moles from her? At other times I wonder if I inherited my large almost hazel eyes from her…I really miss my Mother…but how do you miss someone that you ‘ve never seen before…never heard her voice before, or smelled her perfume or ate her cooking……before? I’ve lived without knowing who my birth mother is all my life, so actually becoming a mother was an amazing experience for me. God always has a way of making up for what’s missing in our lives. Not only did I become a mother, but God has given me 3 surrogate mothers in my life. One has passed away now some 30 years ago, but the other 2 are still with me and I treasure every moment that I get to spend with them when I can. No one will truly ever take the place of my precious birth mother, whoever she is, or was, but I am very grateful to be a mother, grandmother and God mother. The one thing I don’t have to wonder about is being loved! God saw to that!!”
Written by: Beverly E. Carroll
Her words resonated with authenticity and emotion, capturing the essence of her deep-rooted longing and unyielding love.
Six years later, after countless hours of research and unwavering determination, I made a discovery that would change everything. With the support of loved ones and the guidance of experts, I uncovered the identity of my Mother's birth mother—a revelation that filled my heart with both joy and sadness.
In a gesture of love and devotion, I made the decision to honor my Mother's legacy in the most profound way possible. With tears in my eyes and a heart full of emotion, I present to my Mother, the identity of her Mother - Doris Minyon Stewart.
Doris Minyon Stewart
The mother of the late Beverly E. Carroll.
The late Beverly E. Carroll, mother of Kinyatta E. Gray
To my Mother, whose love knew no bounds, and to all those who carry the weight of unanswered questions, may you find solace in the journey of discovery. May you honor the legacies of those who came before you and find peace in the knowledge that love transcends time and space.
Kinyatta E. Gray is a Certified Master Coach, Grief Educator, Author, and Founder of The Heart of Miss Bee, Inc. Gray writes about grief and loss for women grieving the loss of their mothers. The Heart of Miss Bee, Inc. exists to honor the memory of the late Beverly E. Carroll, Kinyatta's Mother.