Bessie Mae Ward

Bessie Mae Ward, daughter of the late Moses & Rebecca Watson of Dale, South Carolina, entered this realm on April 23, 1929. She went on to Glory to live eternally with Jesus, her Lord and Savior on Thursday, December 4, 2025. The Good Lord has received His own and she has received her crown. As a young lady, 28 years of age, in 1957, Bessie made her choice to serve the Lord and endeavored to live a life that is pleasing to God. She received her early education in Dale, SC, as fate would have it, she moved to California with her Aunt Sarah and Uncle Homer Allison to pursue her high school education at Barstow Union School in Barstow, CA. Due to an unfortunate accident involving her uncle she then moved back to Dale, SC to complete her education and graduate from Robert Smalls High School in Beaufort, SC, class of 1950. On a trip to Clewiston to visit her cousin Herbert Campbell, she met her lifelong partner Philip Leslie Ward of Barbados, West Indies. They married on July 5, 1952, and settled in Baltimore, Maryland, raising five children. She was a dedicated wife and mother. After raising her children to teen years, in 1975, she went back to work, beginning 28 years of dedicated service at Coopers Domiciliary Home in Glen Burnie, MD., where she practiced as a Dietician. Bessie loved the Lord, a dedicated servant of the faith in every way. For 64 years, she opened her home to host fellowship meetings, always welcoming the Ministers and Friends from around the world. She embraced her family with the same generosity, maintaining an open home for relatives, taking care of nieces and nephews. Her life was a shining example of unwavering faith, hospitality, and a heart that gave without hesitation. Bessie is preceded in death by her husband, Philip Leslie Ward, siblings Thomas Campbell (Dorothy), Ethel Mae Gregg, Sarah Mae Epps. She leaves to cherish her memory, her children, Philip Leslie (Maryanne), Arnold, Lorna Edwards (Richard), David, Beth Alecia, her brother Roy Watson, Brother-in-law Charles Ward (Lareta). She will be fondly remembered by her grandchildren, Michael, Christopher (Brittany) & Sahara, great-grandchildren Leyton & Jaslyn. She will be lovingly remembered by her nieces, nephews and a host of great nieces and nephews, extended family in Maryland, South Carolina, Barbados, Trinidad and by a host of friends and neighbors with whom she shared life worldwide. 2 Timothy 4:6-8 KJV For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto All them also that love his appearing.

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Bessie Mae Ward

April 23, 1929 - December 4, 2025