Bessie Williams Monlyn

             Deaconess Bessie Williams Monlyn was born in Lee, Florida March 17, 1944 to the late Charlie and Susie Williams.

             Deaconess Bessie received the Holy Ghost at a very early age under the leadership of Elder G. E. Brister.  She served as the church secretary of Beulah Star Church of God in Unity and District One treasurer until her health began to fail.  She testified that she was saved, sanctified and filled with the Holy Ghost.  She enjoyed singing Songs of Zion and beating the drums at her church.

              Early in life she knew she did not want to work in the tobacco fields so she completed her studies in the Madison County School System and attended North Florida Junior College where she received her Associate of Arts degree and transferred to Valdosta State University for further studies.  She worked as a paraprofessional at  the Madison Primary School where she enjoyed working with the children and after numerous years retired from the Madison County School Board.  She specialized in baking her famous pound cake, socializing and the Historian of the family.

             Deaconess Bessie was united in Holy Matrimony to Roy “Ted” Lee Monlyn in 1966 who was the “Love of her life” that preceded her in death.  They shared over forty years together before he was called home September 2007.  To this union no children were born.  She raised a very special niece, great-niece and great nephew.

           Preceding her in death were two sisters Clemmie Graham and Mae Beulah Sapp and three brothers W. M. (Dub) Williams, Jesse Williams, Ronnie “Romie” Williams, and one Godson Robert Williams.

            Deaconess Bessie leaves to cherish her memories: children she raised as her own: Sherri Ann Gillyard, Tedisha Davis and Darius Johnson; three step-children: Hope Monlyn (James) Anderson, Gerald Monlyn and Samantha Monlyn; Godchildren she loved dearly: Edna Major (Gerald), Deveda Bellamy, William Joshua (Ferres, Jayden and Caleb), and John Harris; one brother: Charlie Ray (Carolyn) Monlyn; four special friends: Connie Harris, Gwendolyn Johnson, Johnnie Mae Burgess and Cora Wyche;  a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and sorrowing friends.

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