Bessie B. Smith

Mrs. Bessie Smith, 89 of Florence South Carolina, formerly of Charlotte County, VA and Washington, DC entered eternal rest Friday, August 17, 2007 at Mc Cloud Hospice House, Florence, SC. Mrs. Smith was born on January 4, 1918 in Charlotte County, Virginia. She was the sixth of ten children of the late John and Annie Brown. She worked for Government Services and College Park University retiring in 1973, due to health problems. At an early age she was baptized and served in many capacities of her home church. She was a member of Saint Paul Baptist Church in Washington, DC. After relocating to South Carolina, she became a member of Savannah Grove Baptist Church.She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Annie Brown, her husband, Charlie Smith, four of her children, Charles Smith, Annie B. Roberts, Bessie Wiley, and John Smith; her siblings, Elizabeth, Lucille, Annie Mae, Nellie, Rena, Ernest, Lennis, and Dennis.Cherishing her memory is a daughter, Dorothy Washington, a granddaughter, Bernedetta Cooper, and a great-granddaughter, Bryeshia Cooper all of Florence, SC; 7 other grandchildren, 12 other great-grandchildren, one sister, Elsie Ellis of Chase City, VA, one son-in-law, Alfred Roberts of Suitland, MD, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.A funeral service will be conducted 1:00 P.M. Friday, August 24, 2007 at Shiloh Baptist Church, Drakes Brach, VA with Rev. Dr. James E. Scott, officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church Friday from 12 Noon until 1:00 P.M.Arrangements are by Giles-Harris Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 1304 North Main St. Chase City, VA.