Bessie Evans Wilson

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7-8

Bessie Evans Wilson, the daughter of the late John Henry and Bessie Pettiford Evans was born on March 13, 1936 in Oxford, North Carolina. Bessie peacefully made her transition on February 14, 2019 with her husband by her side. 

Bessie, the ninth of 14 children, grew up on a country farm in a loving home that valued faith, family, and fun. Bessie’s introduction to Christ came at an early age. She’d recall walking a mile to church during summer months with her parents and siblings, often singing along the way. At the tender age of ten, she accepted Jesus as her Savior and was baptized in a brook early one Sunday morning by the late Reverend G.A. Gilchrist of Whetstone Baptist Church (Oxford, NC). One of the first passages of scripture she learned and committed to memory was taught to her by her sister Mayola: “The Beatitudes” (Matthew 5: 1-11). Bessie began singing at an early age in church along with her siblings and never sang anything other than songs for Christ. 

As a youngster, Bessie, who was often referred to by her nickname (reserved for family), attended the segregated Joe Toler School and flourished. She often shared fond memories of her favorite teacher, Ms. Broadie, and how Ms. Broadie would teach the subjects she was supposed to and much more. “Ms. Broadie would teach us any and everything, and she didn’t play either.” Bessie passed on many of these life lessons to her children and others. She enjoyed athletics immensely and would refer to herself as “the star” of her high school basketball team, because, “that’s what they called me.” She also relished in watching her brothers play baseball, a time honored family tradition that remains. 

After Bessie graduated from high school, she moved to Durham, North Carolina and attended Durham Business College. After completing school, she secured a job as secretary. However, this position did not last long, as she was courted by a young man from her hometown who would soon ask for her hand in marriage. On August 24, 1958, Bessie became the wife of Frank K. Wilson, but only after making a stop, at her insistence, to ask her father for permission on their way to getting married. Soon after, the two headed across the country to Klamath Falls, Oregon to begin life anew. A couple of years later, they relocated to Arlington, Virginia, where they would remain. In this union they were blessed to rear their three children: Stanley, Kenneth, and Lori. Bessie relished in her role as a mother and had a way of helping each of her children learn to identify their uniquely special God given gifts. She had a quiet strength about her which rarely required her to raise her voice when discipline was in order, as just one look and a shift in tone immediately meant you had better get your act together - and quickly. In addition to the family tradition of rearing children with firmness and love, Bessie wanted to continue with another tradition: providing a nickname for each of her children. When met with resistance by Frank, they settled on a compromise that delighted her heart and ultimately made her children feel as special as she knew them to be. For the nicknames were only used by Bessie and only heard by her children and Frank. 

Outside the home, Bessie shared her gifts and talents within the workplace. Employed for 27 years with the District of Columbia Government, Superior Court, as a supervisor in the Department of Probation, “Big Bessie,” as she was affectionately referred to by her supervisor, took tremendous pride in her work and took time to teach and nurture those under her tutelage. Bessie wanted to ensure the work was not just done, but that it was done well. Yet more importantly than the work, she understood that her greatest charge was that of the development of people. From this, Bessie would forge lifelong friendships with coworkers that she cherished over the years. 

Bessie also made lasting friendships with members of her Mt. Olive church family, where she was a faithful member for over 57 years. Bessie, having a love for singing that was cultivated as a child, sang in various choirs at Mt. Olive for just over five decades until her health declined. And sing, indeed she did. Earning her yet another nickname, “Song Bird,” she notably led songs such as In the Garden, I Do, Don’t You, Through It All and There is a Bright Side. She loved to sing and could be heard doing so at any time while home or with extended family. She believed in keeping a song in her heart and on her lips as her testimony to God’s goodness and faithfulness in her life. As Bessie knew she had much to be thankful for through her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! For even in the midst of her latest trial, Bessie was observed on numerous occasions lying with her eyes closed, quietly thanking Jesus. 

One can imagine that Bessie was thankful for the blessings of past times she enjoyed. After retirement and a life of devotion to others, Bessie finally engaged in an activity just for her: bowling. And she was good at it, even recruiting other recent retiree women to join as well. She had a ball, literally, with the ladies, and got a kick out of the friendly competition the league fostered. But closer to home, she looked forward to early Spring, when year after year, she and Frank would busy themselves in the yard - preparing flowers and planting seeds in their garden. The country within her never left, as she would often say to Frank, “Let’s go for a ride.” This meant, taking an hour journey to pick apples or peaches so she could either return to make some preserves, pies, or simply bless others with fresh fruit. It was often hard to tell which Bessie enjoyed more - the joy of making the pies and pre- serves or the gift of giving them away, as you could literally hear the smile in her voice as she would say, “Go look in the refrigerator, I believe there’s an apple pie in there for you!” Bessie’s hand at photography also put a smile on many faces. She loved documenting family reunions and gatherings in this manner. Over the years, she amassed dozens of photo albums that her family has come to treasure. It was well known to call Bessie if one was searching for a photo, as she likely captured the moment. Bessie was also able to capture the heart of every animal the Wilsons owned. With a particular affinity to dogs, each gravitated toward Bessie most and bonded with her in its own way. She simply had a way with not just people but other animals in God’s creation; even the pet goldfish followed her from one end of the tank to the other when she entered the room and when she would talk to it! 

Yet above all, Bessie will notably be remembered and revered for her steadfast faith, steady strength, sweet spirit, and love of family. Throughout her life’s journey she has continuously maintained a smile on her face, a joy in her heart, and a peace within her soul that speaks to the bright side somewhere of which she sang. For even in her infirmities, she was determined not to rest until she found it.