Connie Bea Hope
Encyclopedia
Connie Bea Hope was the stage name
for Beatrice Walker Hope (August 24, 1904-January 25, 1993), a television
personality and chef
in Mobile
, Alabama
, on the local cooking
program "Connie's Cupboard", which began in 1955 on WKRG-TV
. She also appeared on the station's daily midday program Woman's World. After the programs ended in 1981, Hope became the station's goodwill ambassador for cooking and food-related events.
Hope has been called a fixture in the South Alabama culinary scene and is included in tourism literature as part of the 20th century culture of Mobile.
Charlie Hackmeyer
.
but returned thereafter to work for Morrison's Cafeteria
. Later, she was a traveling supervisor for Morrison's. She worked for a bakery in the Oakdale area before returning to Kress & Company to become the manager of the lunch counter and soda fountain
.
She joined WKRG from its inception in September 1955 and began hosting Connie's Cupboard with Bea Hope, with Estelle Payton (1904–1999) as her assistant. In the early years, Payton, an African American
, did not appear on camera unless her hands slipped into the shot while setting up or removing utensils. Later, in the 1960s, Payton began to appear on air. She was eventually given third billing on the program's opening titles, given her own microphone, and occasionally offered comments on Hope's demonstrations. The two women were known in the station for their usually good-natured backstage squabbles.
Hope earned the stage name "Connie Bea" after some viewers began referring to her by that name. When not cooking on Channel 5, Hope could be seen with fellow members of two women's Mardi Gras
associations or the Dauphin Way Baptist
Church. In 1964, she was recognized by the D'Iberville Chapter of the American Business Women's Association
. She was a founder and charter member of the Mobile Bay
chapter of the organization.
Hope died at the age of eighty-eight in a Mobile hospital. Survivors included two daughters, Delores and Lorraine, a sister, Edwina; three grandchildren, Joseph, Monica, and John Romagnano, and four great grandchildren, Lisa, C. Anderson, Amy, and Brooke Romagnano.
Stage name
A stage name, also called a showbiz name or screen name, is a pseudonym used by performers and entertainers such as actors, wrestlers, comedians, and musicians.-Motivation to use a stage name:...
for Beatrice Walker Hope (August 24, 1904-January 25, 1993), a television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
personality and chef
Chef
A chef is a person who cooks professionally for other people. Although over time the term has come to describe any person who cooks for a living, traditionally it refers to a highly skilled professional who is proficient in all aspects of food preparation.-Etymology:The word "chef" is borrowed ...
in Mobile
Mobile, Alabama
Mobile is the third most populous city in the Southern US state of Alabama and is the county seat of Mobile County. It is located on the Mobile River and the central Gulf Coast of the United States. The population within the city limits was 195,111 during the 2010 census. It is the largest...
, Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
, on the local cooking
Cooking
Cooking is the process of preparing food by use of heat. Cooking techniques and ingredients vary widely across the world, reflecting unique environmental, economic, and cultural traditions. Cooks themselves also vary widely in skill and training...
program "Connie's Cupboard", which began in 1955 on WKRG-TV
WKRG-TV
WKRG-TV, virtual channel 5 , is the CBS-affiliated television station for Mobile, Alabama, Pensacola, Florida, and Pascagoula/Biloxi, Mississippi; and has been the network's affiliate in the area since its inception on August 29, 1955. The station was founded by the architect and movie theater...
. She also appeared on the station's daily midday program Woman's World. After the programs ended in 1981, Hope became the station's goodwill ambassador for cooking and food-related events.
Hope has been called a fixture in the South Alabama culinary scene and is included in tourism literature as part of the 20th century culture of Mobile.
Early life
Hope was born to Edward H. Clements and the former Margaret Sims. She spent her childhood in the Oakdale area of Mobile, where she attended the Russell school on Broad Street with future Mobile Public Works Commissioner and MayorMayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
Charlie Hackmeyer
Charles F. Hackmeyer
Charles F. Hackmeyer was a Mobile, Alabama-area community leader and politician who served two terms on the Mobile City Commission. He was also the city's 80th Mayor. His terms as Mayor of Mobile was when the title was co-extensive with the presidency of the City Commission. He was defeated for...
.
Professional career
During her teenage years, Hope operated a food counter at the Kress & Company candy store. She left Mobile during World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
but returned thereafter to work for Morrison's Cafeteria
Morrison's Cafeteria
Morrison's Cafeterias was a chain of cafeteria-style restaurants, located in the Southeastern United States with a concentration of locations in Georgia and Florida. Generally found in shopping malls, Morrison's primary competition was Piccadilly Cafeterias. It was particularly popular in Florida,...
. Later, she was a traveling supervisor for Morrison's. She worked for a bakery in the Oakdale area before returning to Kress & Company to become the manager of the lunch counter and soda fountain
Soda fountain
A soda fountain is a device that dispenses carbonated drinks. They can be found in restaurants, concession stands and other locations such as convenience stores...
.
She joined WKRG from its inception in September 1955 and began hosting Connie's Cupboard with Bea Hope, with Estelle Payton (1904–1999) as her assistant. In the early years, Payton, an African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
, did not appear on camera unless her hands slipped into the shot while setting up or removing utensils. Later, in the 1960s, Payton began to appear on air. She was eventually given third billing on the program's opening titles, given her own microphone, and occasionally offered comments on Hope's demonstrations. The two women were known in the station for their usually good-natured backstage squabbles.
Hope earned the stage name "Connie Bea" after some viewers began referring to her by that name. When not cooking on Channel 5, Hope could be seen with fellow members of two women's Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras
The terms "Mardi Gras" , "Mardi Gras season", and "Carnival season", in English, refer to events of the Carnival celebrations, beginning on or after Epiphany and culminating on the day before Ash Wednesday...
associations or the Dauphin Way Baptist
Baptist
Baptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...
Church. In 1964, she was recognized by the D'Iberville Chapter of the American Business Women's Association
American Business Women's Association
The American Business Women’s Association is a national professional association for women, established by Kansas City businessman, Hilary Bufton, Jr.On Sept. 22, 1949, Mr...
. She was a founder and charter member of the Mobile Bay
Mobile Bay
Mobile Bay is an inlet of the Gulf of Mexico, lying within the state of Alabama in the United States. Its mouth is formed by the Fort Morgan Peninsula on the eastern side and Dauphin Island, a barrier island on the western side. The Mobile River and Tensaw River empty into the northern end of the...
chapter of the organization.
Hope died at the age of eighty-eight in a Mobile hospital. Survivors included two daughters, Delores and Lorraine, a sister, Edwina; three grandchildren, Joseph, Monica, and John Romagnano, and four great grandchildren, Lisa, C. Anderson, Amy, and Brooke Romagnano.
Additional sources
- Daugherty, Frank. "Barnette reveals an amusing picture of Mobile." Mobile Press-Register [Mobile, Alabama] June 17, 1999: D1.
- Guide to the Virginia B. Greer Papers, 1942-1997 Accession: 07-09-465 Series 7: Audio Cassette Southalabama.edu Box 13 Audio recording of Greer’s appearances on Woman’s World, WKRG-TV, April 22, 1976.
- "Help sought to identify classmates in old school photo", Mobile Press Register. Mobile, Alabama. October 28, 1999: Y5
- http://probate.mobilecountyal.gov/: Mobile County Marriage Records Search
- http://www.frenchcreoles.com/Early%20Creole%20Homes/Beginnings%20Files/SimonRochon.pdf Provides reference for the parentage of Ms. Hope.
- U.S. Census of 1910
- U.S. Census of 1920