Mrs. Bessie M. Ferrell

Bessie Mae Ferrell, the beloved daughter of the late MaeBelle and Mack Holmes was born on September 21, 1938 in Green Pond, South Carolina. She took her eternal rest on January 26, 2023 after her long battle with an illness. Her message to us comes from 2 Timothy 4:7-8:“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.”

Bessie Mae Ferrell met and married JC Elijah Ferrell. Out of this union came six children: Geneva (who preceded her in death), Edward, Elijah (who preceded her in death), Valerie, Jacqueline, and Thomas. She left South Carolina in the mid-1960’s to go to New York City. She worked in the food industry for over 30 years. She found joy in making everyone laugh and making sure they had a decent meal. She returned to her roots in the south in September 2000.

Bessie was outspoken, regal and graceful. Her loving and caring spirit impacted her immediate, extended and church families and countless others throughout the years. She was a loving and caring mom that was true to her faith and her family. She was a faithful devout Christian that was dedicated to attending church and made sure everyone in her household went, as well. She enjoyed reading her Bible and praying. A true servant of The Lord, she blessed various ministries in her lifetime: Trinity Temple Baptist Church, Brooklyn, NY; God Tabernacle, Charleston, S.C.; and Deliverance Power and Victory Church, Charleston, SC. She happily served on the Usher board, Pastor’s Aide, Missionary Board, Deaconess Board, the Floral Club, and the Women’s Committee. Without having the title, Bessie was an Evangelist who embodied the godly principle of lovingkindness. She embraced everyone and loved spreading the gospel and witnessing the love of Christ to anyone who would listen. She truly made an impact for the Kingdom.

Bessie was also very a passionate gardener. She loved taking care of her plants and tending to her garden daily, even until sunset. She loved her cowboy shows and movies. Some of her favorite shows included: Rifleman, In The Heat of the Night, Lassie, Walker Texas Ranger, and all of the Tyler Perry movies! Bessie loved cooking for her family and friends. Her standards were God, then family, and helping her community in any way she could. She wholeheartedly believed that God would take care of the wrong doers and if you could help someone, to always do so. One of her favorite quotes was “never look down on a person, unless you’re looking down to pick them up.” She was a faithful soldier who fought the good fight of faith until the end. Psalm 23, Hebrews 11:1, and John 3:16 were her favor- ite passages of scripture.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her sons Edward Ferrell and Thomas Ferrell; daughters Valerie Ferrell, and Jacqueline Ferrell; her siblings, Roosevelt Holmes, Lucille Finley, Eva Mae Wilson, Joe Holmes, and Francis Holmes (who all preceded her in death), Robert Holmes (Ann), George Holmes (Jennifer), Sherman Holmes, Catherine Brown, Shirley Bomar, Justine Simmon (Ray), and Ruthie Reynolds (Lionel); 15 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, adopted daughters and sons, and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, extended family and friends.

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