Bessie M. Lewis

Bessie Mae Lewis, the daughter of the late Deacon Thomas Aaron Lemon and Mary Lee Butler Montgomery Lemon was born June 9,1945, Clarendon County, South Carolina. She was preceded in death by her father Thomas Aaron Lemon and one brother Arnold Lee Lemon and Husband Monroe Leval Lewis Sr.

Early in life she accepted Christ in her life and was Baptized at Mount Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, Manning, SC. Bessie attended Mount Zion Hill Baptist Church with her late Uncle Ollie and Aunt Ella up until her passing.

She attended the public schools of Clarendon County. She graduated from Manning Training School, class of 1965.

After graduation she moved to Baltimore and lived with her late aunt and uncle Isaac and Dorothy Lemon. She helped take care of her cousins Frankie and Darlene while searching for employment. Aunt Dorothy drew Bessie a map of Baltimore and sent her on the bus for a job interview at Union Memorial Hospital. She accepted the job in 1965 and never left until retirement in 2010. At Union, Bessie found joy being a surgical technician assisting with child births and surgical procedures. In 1989 she was awarded the Jenkins Award for being an outstanding employee and being a good ambassador.

Bessie loved talking trash with her son over football and basketball games. She enjoyed her annual birthday trips to the casino with her daughter. She also loved spending time with her grandchildren, talking on the phone and eating at their favorite spot IHOP. During the day you can find Bessie watching the news and her soap operas.

She met and married the late Monroe Leval Lewis Sr., May 28, 1972 in Baltimore, Md. This union was blessed with two children.

On the evening of February 8, 2022 at Greater Baltimore Medical Center, Bessie gained her angel wings. She was a woman of strong Faith and believed in the power of prayer.

She leaves to cherish her memories and carry on her legacy: her mother Mary Lee Butler Montgomery Lemon, Sumter, SC; her son Monroe Leval Jr, and daughter Miranda (Michael Sr.) Morris, both of Baltimore, MD. Her five sisters; Febbie (Herbert) Ragin, Brooklyn, NY; Alice Lemon and Sandra Lemon (Pete) both of Sumter, SC; Mae Lemon and Sharon Green, both of Manning, SC. One Brother who preceded her in death Arnold Lee Lemon; five grandchildren; Monay and Mariah Lewis; Michael Jr, Malik and Maliyah Morris; one aunt Ella Robinson, Baltimore, MD; special cousin, Bernice Voss; honorary sisters; Diane Curtain and Marilyn Curtain and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and special friends.