Glenda Williams Hall Bess

It is with heartfelt sorrow that we announce the passing of Glenda Williams Hall Bess, age 75, of Dawsonville, Georgia. Born on June 1, 1950, in Phenix City, Alabama, Glenda departed this life on July 30, 2025, as she lived it: with strength, grace, and on her own terms. She leaves behind a legacy of love, kindness, and courage that will be cherished by all who were blessed to know her.

Born and raised in Phenix City, Alabama, Glenda carried the warmth, grit, and spirit of her hometown into every chapter of her life. She spent more than 40 years on Lake Harding in Salem, Alabama, where she found joy in the shimmer of the water and peace in the rhythm of lake life. Her love for the lake was matched only by her passion for NASCAR, especially her favorite driver, Chase Elliott. Race days were sacred, and her cheers, full of pride and enthusiasm, were unmistakable.

A proud graduate of Central High School’s Class of 1968, Glenda was the shining star of the Red Devil marching band, making history as the first Head Majorette to twirl with fire. She went on to earn her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the inaugural class of the fully autonomous University of Alabama at Birmingham, later achieving a Master’s in Business Administration and Economics from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.

Glenda devoted her life to caring for others. She began her career in 1971 as a registered nurse, most often in pediatrics, though she gladly stepped into any department where she was needed. In 1984, she brought her expertise to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia, where her unmatched knowledge and dedication earned her the affectionate title of “Miss Medicare.” She went on to serve as Director of Revenue Management and Compliance and as Associate Director of the John B. Amos Cancer Center within the Columbus Regional Healthcare System for nearly twenty years. She also shared her talents as a consultant for Accounts Receivables Strategy, and was proud to be part of the founding executive leadership team at Summit Ridge Hospital in Phenix City, Alabama.

To her colleagues, she was a principled leader and trusted mentor. To her family, she was proof that strength, intelligence, and compassion can live side by side in the same heart. She lived with courage, led with grace, and met each day with a hopeful spirit.

Glenda was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She is survived by her loving daughters, Angela McDaniel and Amy Brown, and her son-in-law, Matthew Brown. She also leaves behind her adored grandchildren: Jeffrey M.D. Shelton, Alexander M. Brown, Blake W. McDaniel, Mabry L. Brown, Brandon W. McDaniel (married to Shuhui Li), and Alorah W. Brown; as well as her precious great-grandchildren: Leah F. Shelton, Jeffrey M.D. Shelton Jr., Thea G. McDaniel, and a little one on the way. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Hosea C. Bess, and her cherished parents, John Henry and Mattie Williams.

A celebration of Glenda’s remarkable life will be held on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at Vance Brooks Funeral Home, 3738 US Highway 431 N, Phenix City, Alabama. Visitation will begin at 12:00 PM (EST), followed by the service at 1:00 PM (EST). Friends and family are invited to gather in remembrance, gratitude, and celebration of the joy she brought to this world.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial donations be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, a cause close to Glenda’s heart and a reflection of her generous spirit.

To donate in memory of Glenda Williams Hall Bess: -Online: https://fundraising.stjude.org/site/TR?px=8893857&fr_id=154020&pg=personal - By Mail: Send a check payable to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital to: 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, TN 38105 (Include a note indicating the donation is “In Memory of Glenda Williams Hall Bess”) - By Phone: Call (800) 213-6584 to make a donation or request memorial envelopes for the service. “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18