Bessie (Ms. Bebe) Henley / Gardner / Williamson

Life for Bessie had its humble beginning in Hazlehurst, Mississippi on May 11, 1926. Bessie was the 5th of 6 children born to the union of Charlie Henley and Mary Eliza. She was the baby girl. She rarely spoke of her childhood but when she did it was not in sadness. She was proud of her father and although they had very little they had each other. It was a hard childhood in Mississippi, but it was filled with love. Bessie graduated from Hazelhurst Colored High School in May, 1947 and not long after that moved to Chicago.

Bessie married Earl Gardner on October 12, 1948 and was divorced in July, 1958. From this union Joyce Marie was born, her only child. Bessie married Samuel Williamson on June 2, 1962 and divorced him in April 1979 but carried his name for the rest of her life. She joined Progressive Baptist Church at 3658 S. Wentworth, Chicago under the late Rev T.E. Brown. She was an active member at Progressive Baptist Church and served in many different areas. She was a member of the T.E. Brown Club, The Sanctuary Choir, Social Service and the First Aid Board.

Bebe retired from Schultz and Burch Biscuit Company as a packer in 1987, after working 34 years and 9 months. During her retirement she took time to take courses at Moody Bible College and achieved academic accomplishment in 1996. In 1998 she moved from Chicago to California to join her daughter and grandchildren.

Bessie became known as Bebe when her first grandchildren were born. She did not want to be called "grandma" because, as she put it "that's just too old for me; I look too good to be a grandmother".

Four of her siblings Ollie Mae, Frosty, Nancy and Flowers and, both husbands Earl and Samuel, preceded her in death.

As Ms. Bebe aged one of her favorite phrases was "getting old wasn't bad, it was just darned inconvenient". She always had a kind word of encouragement to say to everyone she met. She could always find something nice and complimentary to say. In 2007 we discovered that Ms. Bebe was transforming. She had mild cognitive impairment. As the aging process progressed and it became harder for her to remember people and places she never forgot common courtesy. She would always say thank you, she always prayed before her meal and she always had a tissue tucked in her sleeve or in a pocket. She was always the gracious and proper lady. Ms. Bebe's favorite treat was ice cream. When she became too ill to eat or consume any liquid, if offered ice cream she would raise her eyebrows and perk up for a small teaspoon.

Bessie was deeply loved and will be missed but we know that God has her. Her journey ended on Wednesday September 18th at 3:18 pm. She was surrounded by her family. Her last hour with them was spent in communion, prayer, scripture reading, and in singing hymns. Everyone was able to let her know how much she was loved, appreciated and thanked for all she had done for each of them.

Bessie leaves to mourn her elder sister Milesy Gray; only child and daughter Joyce and her husband Pastor Randall Jordan; three grandchildren: Dawn Jordan-Romero and her husband Jeff Romero; Shawn Jordan; Jason Jordan and his wife Karen. Bessie was blessed to see born 3 great grandchildren: Zahra Maia, Elizabeth Marie and Audrey Claire. Other family members mourning the loss of their beloved Aunt are Crystal Davis-Hanciles and children; Denise McDuffie-Martin and family; JC Williams and family, MaryAnn Williams and family, Dudley Williams and family, Roberta Gayles and family and many, many, more cousins, nephews and nieces that space does not allow to mention by name.