Beverly Gay Bronston

Beverly G. “Bev” Crawford Bronston, 89, departed this life and slipped peacefully into eternal rest in God’s care on July 11, 2023.  She was born on March 30, 1934, to John B. Crawford and Jesse (Bohanan) Crawford.   Bev was a member of the Second Baptist Church.

Bev hailed from Cleveland, Ohio.  She graduated from Miami University in 1956 with a BS in Education.  It was there that she met the love of her life Bob Bronston, and they became a “Miami Merger.”  Bob and Bev were happily married for 66 years. Prior to his death in 2022 they were recognized as one of the longest married couples in Clark County.

Bev taught kindergarten and then second grade at Fulton Elementary School for thirty-one years. She was one of the first African American elementary teachers in the Springfield City School System at that time and a proud member of “Fulton’s Finest.”  She was instrumental in launching the Head Start Program for the Springfield City Schools. “Mrs. Bronston” was a creative teacher who was admired, loved and respected by her students.

Before and during retirement Bev enjoyed traveling and participated in several social clubs including Jack and Jill, Retirement Set, Clark County Retirement/Retired Teachers Assoc., Card Club, Travel/Couple Club.  She also was in several bowling leagues and played league golf.  She served on the Golf Committee for the “Care Its for Kids” Charity Golf events.  Bev was known by her friends and family as the “QUEEN OF SNACKS”- she never went anywhere -even the ER – without them, and they were a staple on her kitchen counter when you came to call.  The chocolates in the bowls are for you to enjoy and serve as a “sweet reminder” of Bev.  More than anything, Bev enjoyed being the best and most generous “Nana” and “Great Nana” to her four grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. 

Bev is survived by her two daughters Rhonda (Holbrook) Riles, Jr. and Tracy Bronston (Leonard Peterson); dear sister-in-law Virginia “Crick” Jewell; four grandchildren Maranatha McKinney; Marques (Tiesha) Bronston; Morgan (Jesse) Douglas; and Holbrook (Kimmie) Riles III; seven great- grandchildren Emell, Ben, Meyah, Jaylah, Marques Jr., Jayde, and Spurgeon “Geo”; and a host of cousins, nieces, and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Robert and her two sisters Iris Witbeck and Gayle Mixon.