I wrote this a couple of years ago & decided to share it here..
I am still completely fascinated by this Incredible Woman !!!
The Beach Lady & Her Forever Love
When I was a little girl, my Aunt Christina, showed me a newspaper clipping of a woman. I thought that women was the most beautiful woman in the world. In the picture, it showed her 1 long Dread Lock, and her extremely long, curled nails. At one time her nails where a foot and a half long, just on her left hand. I was fascinated to find out more.. Not until I was in my 30's, did I venture to learn more about this Beautiful Woman.
MaVynee Oshun Betsch " Beach Lady"
was the 7th generation grandchild of Zephaniah & Anna Kingsley, a slave that married a prominent Plantation owner in North Florida. They Owned the Kingsley Plantation .
You normally would not hear me speaking kindly of a place such as this , but this plantation was different in so many ways. African-American archaeology originated from the studies of the Kingsley Plantation. I will not go into it more here, but you can find articles for yourself and see what interesting people came from the Kingsley Plantation.
It is an incredible place to see and you can take a tour of the
" Kingsley Plantation today.
The Beach Lady, is the Great, Great Granddaughter of , A. L. Lewis. He was a a Co founder of the " Afro-American life Insurance Company, the first Insurance company in Florida. Mr. Lewis went on to become the 1st Millionaire in the state of Florida. In 1935 during major segregation , Mr. Lewis founded Florida's 1st Black beach community & resort located on the Eastern shore of Amelia Island
it is called "American Beach".
MaVynee Betsch, graduated Oberlin Music Conservatory in Ohio, she then studied voice in Paris & London. She went on to become a grand Opera singer ,throughout Germany in the 50's & 60's. In Germany she is legendary even today. She began to miss Florida, so she decided to go home.
The Beach Lady, became a passionate conservationist & activist. She wore her 6 ft lock of hair across her shoulder, around her waist & over her arm to honor the curve of the River Niger in West Africa. Her hair and clothes covered in buttons to express her political & ecologist values. She gave away her life savings to over 60 Environmental Organizations and causes. She once lived anywhere she could, but eventually she took on an apartment at American Beach.
Her brother & sister are just as intriguing ... Dr. Johnetta Cole, the only female president of two Black colleges, Spellman College and Bennett College & John Betsch a Jazz Musician in Paris.
The Beach lady was honored by the Dalai lama, featured in Smithsonian magazine, USA Today, NY times and on PBS & other networks for her many great deeds.
In the many articles I have read about her , she often spoke of becoming a butterfly. She decided that once she passes, she would fly over the sand dunes of her Beloved " America Beach". My family that lives in the area swim & fish at American Beach often.The last time my Aunt Mildred saw her she was throwing an offering into the ocean... Always giving Honor & Thanks to Yemaya.
MaVynee Oshun Betsch ; American Beach, Florida
I too went home to Florida and finally met this magnificent woman. All around the outside of her small beach home she had many beautiful candles & beach finds.
My Husband and I spoke with her for awhile, before a cleansing summer storm began. I then asked her about her Beautiful Sand Dune, that you could see from her front yard. She had once spoken of it, saying that when she died, she would float over her Beloved Sand Dune, of American Beach, as a Beautiful Butterfly...
She did it !
" The Beach Lady ", became a Beautiful Butterfly and floated over her Sand Dune . September 5, 2005.
You can search under MaVynee Betsch or The Beach Lady for more ...
