Beverly Earl, an influential and longtime part of Catholic Charities San Bernardino & Riverside Counties, passed away on May 26 at the age of 68. She began working for Catholic Charities over 40 years ago and most recently served as the Director of Family & Community Services in San Bernardino County (originally in both counties).
Earl was born on Oct. 15, 1953, in San Diego, one of five children born to Willard and Luteal Earl. She moved to San Bernardino in 1969, which was also the year she married her husband Wesley Welsh.
She began her community service with Catholic Charities in Colton in 1982, where she worked to expand the food program to meet the growing needs of the community. To accomplish this, Earl took grant writing classes on the weekends at Cal State University, San Bernardino, which helped her to secure grants to fund the program.
Other projects that Earl spearheaded included various meal-feeding programs, including a Thanksgiving dinner for the homeless, as well as opening a homework center and community garden.
“She is extremely well known throughout the County by residents, clients, nonprofits, churches, hospitals, school districts, county and state agencies, landlords, business owners and public officials. Her passing is a painful loss for those of us blessed to be influenced by the depth of her knowledge, the breadth of her experience, the power of her prophetic compassion and the contagiousness of her abundant faith and joy,” said Catholic Charities CEO/Executive Vice-President Ken Sawa in a statement on Earl’s death.
In 2006 Earl received the Amar Es Entregarse Award from Bishop Gerald Barnes, an honor given to those who exemplified his Episcopal Motto, “love is the total giving of one’s self.”
Earl leaves behind four children, Laura, Fred, Raquel and Darrin, and numerous grandchildren. Her memorial service was held on June 16 at San Manuel Stadium in San Bernardino and drew many attendees who wanted to honor the life of this special woman.