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Mrs. Bessie P. Smith, 58, of 6319 Shell Drive SW, Atlanta, formerly of Petersburg, died suddenly Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2013, in Atlanta. She was born March 11, 1955, to Margaret Prude Starks and the late Jimmie Prude, and stepfather, the late Roger Starks.
She was an honors graduate of Petersburg High School, class of 1974, and South Carolina State College, class of 1978.
Bessie leaves to cherish her memories: husband, Gary Smith Sr.; a daughter, Tiffany Mozely (Torres); son, Gary Smith Jr.; granddaughters, Torrean and Tiana Mozley, all of Atlanta; mother, Margaret Starks of Colonial Heights; a sister, Dorothy Davis of Lebanon, Pa.; a brother, Russell Prude (Nancy); and an uncle, Earl Booker both of Petersburg; and a host of nieces; nephews; cousins; friends; and church family.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, 2013, at Elizabeth Baptist Church, 4245 Cascade Road SW, Atlanta, Ga.
Obituary courtesy of J.M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment Inc., 102 South Ave., Petersburg, 804-732-8911, www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Love doesn't end when a loved one Transitions because Love ❤is Eternal Still Love You Bootsie.
Dorothy Davis
Family
August 25, 2019
Bessie was a Big Sister in the Big Sister program to my sister and I. We were very troubled girls and she was so kind to us. I decided to look her up to tell her thank you but I guess that will have to wait until we meet her again in heaven. My prayers go out to her family and friends. You lost a good one.
Ramona Wilson
Acquaintance
June 8, 2018
I still miss you, but it want be long I'll see you soon. Wait for Me at the gate With the Rest of my Family I heard my Sister Dianne is Up there too. Take Care Love you much Sissy
Dorothy Davis
January 17, 2014
I did not put two and two together to know that Ms. Bessie was the same Ms. Bessie who always had a great testimony or encouraging words to say during our monthly WOW mtgs @ Elizabeth Baptist Church. She also was a volunteer. I was saddened to hear of her demise. Tiffany, continue to be strong. I know your mother was proud of you and you have great memories. She was a great example.
Sabrina Rowland
September 28, 2013
Mr. Smith and Family, my heart goes out to you and yours. Bessie will be missed. Bessi, Annie and myself go way back. We were first friends in elementary school. We were looking forward to our 40th High School reunion. My heart is with you all.
Charlene Burton Crump
September 9, 2013
To the Prude and Smith Families. May you find comfort knowing your love one is in the arms of Jesus.
Margarfet Greaves
September 7, 2013
To the Prude and Smith Familes, I send my deepest condolences. May God Send his Comforting Angels to get through. Lean on God's Word. God Bless your family!!!
Roosevelt Holmes
September 7, 2013
"Girl, we have got to get together"...but it never worked out. Seems G-d knew best and decided that our get together would be at His house in Heaven. I miss you already. Love and comfort to you husband and children at this time.
Elayne Reel
September 7, 2013
To the Prude family our hearts go out to you doing this time , Bessie grew up on the Heights so she was truly family, She will be missed by all whoever came into contact with her!
Leffie Scott
September 7, 2013
To the Smith Family,
While Bessie was a faithful wife, mother,and grandmother to all of you, to many of us who are proud graduates of Petersburg High School Class of 1974, she was "Bessie Prude" - a person who was best known for the happiness and joy that she brought to those of us around her. She will be joining the ranks of many other 1974 PHS grads who have left us much too soon. I speak for many class members in the Virginia/Maryland area, who knew her well and who were also looking forward to working with her on planning for our upcoming 40th class reunion. Please know that we were miss her dearly, but we hope you will take comfort in knowing that her spirit will live on. May God's love and comfort keep you during this sorrowful time.
Anne Pegram
September 7, 2013
The God of all comfort supplies us with strength to face today, hope to face tomorrow, and peace. To face the future.
Joan Hicks
September 7, 2013
May God be a comfort to Bessie's family as go through this time of sorrow. PHS class of 1974
Dale Langley Castaneda
September 7, 2013
My heartfelt sympathy to the family of Bessie Prude Smith. I attended PHS with Bessie and know that heaven has gained a gentle angel.
Kathy Newsom Bumgardner
September 6, 2013
May The Love For GOD Be With You At This Time Of Sorrow.Your Family Will Be Kept In Prayer.
Edward Love
September 6, 2013
My sincere condolences on the passing of Bessie...a fellow classmate of PHS Class of 1974 and a friend.
Matthew Gilliam
September 6, 2013
To Tiffany and Gary
I know your mother is looking down on you
No more grief or sorrow for her, no more suffering or pain she now have everlasting peace
May God keep you all strong and prayerful through all of this
Theresa Gordon
September 6, 2013
To the Prude and Smith Families, my heart was heavy to hear of Bessie's passing. I pray that God will comfort you at this time and give you the needed strength to get through this storm. PHS '74
LaBarbara Lawrence
September 6, 2013
To the Prude and Smith Family,
I send my heartfelt condolences. Bessie and I met each other in 1976 when I was her very young and inexperienced teacher at SC State. We immediately became friends and she just held on to me until her untimely demise.
No matter where we lived, she found a way to visit or stay in touch. I fondly remember trips to New Orleans or to Newport News when I moved to Norfolk. We just shared many experiences: births, death, marriages, graduations, and much more.
Our last long phone conversation concerned her return to an SC State class reunion, the pending graduation of Gary Jr., the level of maturity of her grand daughters, and her new found love and devotion to her Bible studies.
I will miss her; but I know that she is smiling down on all of us and certain that we will move forward. Bessie was a forward-looking person and had an entrepreneurial spirit that served her well. Let us be ever grateful that she was a part of our lives.
Pat Frazier
September 6, 2013
To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.
Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."
It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man.
God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.
When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.
I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.
There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.
If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.
So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.
And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.
Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
©Copyright 1998
George&Janet Woodford
September 6, 2013
Russell and Nancy
My heartfelt condolence goes out to you. With the loss of your sister, Bessie words just cannot express the sadness, but remember earth has no sorrows that heaven cannot heal! Keeping you in prayer,
Ernestine Williams Batts
September 5, 2013
Gary & Family:
I was shocked when I heard of Bessie's passing. Grief can be so hard but your special memories of Bessie will help you and your family cope.
May God continue to bless you and your family in this time of sorrow and remember that he will carry you through.
You and your family are in my prayers.
Sharon A. DeLong
September 5, 2013
Prude & Smith families we the Delectable Heights family send our sincere & deepest wishes to your families.GOD Will see you through
Curtis Pegram
September 5, 2013
Russell and Nancy:
We were deeply saddened to hear about the loss of your sister/sister-in-law, Bessie. Although no words can really help to ease the pain you bear, just know that the comfort of God will help you during this difficult time. Our prayers are with you and your family.
Maurice & Patricia Conley
September 5, 2013
Dorothy Nazarene (Rev.) Davis
September 3, 2013
We loved you Bessie yet we know that our love can in no way compare to that of Our Heavenly Father who came on Wensday to take you home where you will Forever Be Free from All pain Misery and strife.We can find peace in knowing that you are now with Him sake in His Everlasting arms.See you Soon.Loveinly your Sister Peaches.
Dorothy Nazarene Davis
September 2, 2013
Bessie was my classmate and seeing this in the paper is shocking. I r
recently asked Russell about her. We use to talk on the phone and walk to VA Ave.
May you find comfort in knowing God makes no mistake and he's still in charge.
Vicki Draughn-blount
August 31, 2013
So sorry to hear of Bessie's passing. ..praying for the family I was also a member of the Class of '78 at S.C. State.
Debbie Hillman
August 31, 2013
It is with my heartfelt sympathy that give you God's blessings during this time. I am a classmate and neighbor of Bessie who grew up with her. The World will truly miss this beautiful spirit that was loaned to us by God.
Michael Parham
August 31, 2013
Russell I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your sister and my friend Bessie she will always be remembered by me and my family what a great loss Im just still in shock love you and your family always
Jean Graves-Bonner
August 31, 2013
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