Bessie E. Suggs

On Sunday, August 1, 2010 at 8:26 a.m., Bessie Elizabeth Wilks Suggs made her homecoming journey. Mom Bessie, as she was affectionately known to all, was born to Emoira and Zemoira Wilks in South Carolina on July 4, 1900. She was one of three children (Catherine and Paul) who preceded her in death. It was Catherine's request on her death bed that Mom Bessie rear her children, Beatrice and Ben Johnson, Jr. as her own along with her biological son, Albert L. Jones. Mom Bessie more than honored this request as Ben and Beatrice would have attested. All of her children preceded her in death. Mom Bessie professed her life to Christ at an early age serving at the First Baptist Church in Humphrey, Arkansas where she joyfully shared her beautiful gift of singing with the gospel quartet and the choir. She moved to Maryland in 1952 with her daughter's family. She became a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Havre de Grace, Maryland, pastored by Reverend M.C. Phillips, Reverend Herman Williamson and currently, Reverend James C. Williams Once Mom Bessie became sick and shut in, she spiritually welcomed communion and prayer services with the pastors and deacons of Mt. Zion Baptist Church. The Mt. Zion family has remained a Godsend to Mom Bessie and her family through all these years. Mom Bessie devoted her life to her family. She fulfilled all rolesnecessary to rear biological and non- biological children because everyone in the community was one of her children. She wore every hat necessary to rear a family. If you never tasted her peach cobbler, tomato dumplings, neck bones, ox tails, turkey stuffing or her fried chicken, you have our sympathy! And if you were not lucky enough to get one of her perfectly geometrical designed quilts, again, you have our sympathy! She made these quilts well into her 90's. She completely maintained her own home, managed her business affairs and completed all activities of daily living until age 103. She used a rowing machine for exercise and was able to sit on the floor, place her forehead on her knees, reach over and palm her feet and asked if anyone wanted to join her in her nightly exercise routine. Mom Bessie was solely independent until she went to live with her devoted granddaughter, Crystal Gant, who became her primary caregiver. Crystal, alone, witnessed Mom Bessie's "welcome home by the angels" as she held her hand and watched her look towards "glory". Mom Bessie always "trusted in the Lord" to get her through trials and tribulations and at the end of every day, she gave Him thanks. Some years ago, after a third heart attack over a two day period, the doctor requested all the family to come together at her bedside. Mom Bessie opened her eyes and declared "The Lord still has work for me to do. He is not ready for me yet". At 105, she declared, "I don't understand why I am still here. I guess God is just taking his time making my bed up". She leaves to mourn her passing many grandchildren, great and great-great grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends. The family will receive friends in Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 520 Lewis St, Havre de Grace on Friday, August 6 from 10am-12pm. A Homegoing Celebration officiated by Rev. James C. Williams, Sr. will begin at 12pm. Interment will be in Bel Air Memorial Gardens. Funeral Home: Tarring-Cargo Funeral Home 333 South Parke Street Aberdeen, MD US 21001