Mrs. Bessie Mae Thompson Brown

Bessie Thompson Brown was born to the late Rosa Lee Thompson and David Thompson, Sr., on May 18, 1932, in Cameron, SC.  She departed from this life from labor to reward on November 25, 2025, at the Methodist Oaks Center.

Bessie lived and attended school on the County Farm in Calhoun County. Bessie attended St. John Baptist Church and later joined Cedar Grove of Cope, SC. Bessie was married to the late Daniel Brown. Bessie worked at the residence of the Dempseys for many years.

Bessie enjoyed time with her sisters weekly.  They would go fishing down in the Four Holes community. They would laugh about who fell while fishing that day. She enjoyed listening to her gospel music every day on WPJK 1580 AM and on YouTube. Her favorite gospel songs were “Somewhere to Lay My Head” and “I’ll Be Alright”. She loved and adored children, cats, and turtles.

She was cared for by her daughter, Vertie Griffin, before her passing, and later her granddaughters, Tyquanda “Ticey” and Shavondia “Niecey” Miller, her great-granddaughter, Ni’Zani Cain, her little nurse, Zhae’Ohntae’ Robinson, Chadaeh, Ty'Kerria, Jah'QuanDre, Qua'Tavious, and Skylar, her protectors.

Bessie was well known in the neighborhood and community as the babysitter and cook. She raised and kept plenty of kids in her home. Her doors were always open and welcoming to those in need, even strangers.  She was also known for ironing clothes with her hands like she was in the cleaner’s.

No matter what life threw at her, she was a strong fighter and of good faith.

Bessie is preceded in death by her parents, her children: sons, Laurie and David Thompson and a daughter, Vertie Brown Griffin; a grandson, Charlie D.L. Brown (Bessie Boy); two great-grandsons, Bernard L. Stroman and Travis J. Stroman; and her siblings.

Those left to cherish fond memories are her children, Eartha Davis and Mary Brown, both of Orangeburg, SC; 15 grandchildren, 43 great grandchildren; 21 great great-grandchildren; a special cousin, Reverend Pickney (Palmer, Jr);  two special nephews, Sam Benjamin, and James Johnson; her special friends, Mary Thompson, Minnie Dantzler, Cornelia Bovian, and Mary Robinson; and a host of nieces, nephews,  family, and friends.

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