Bessie Gillespie Keys Story...
Created by Darlene 9 years agoBessie Gillespie Keys story reads like an epic adventure filled with near misses, struggles, strength, courage and triumph! From her life’s experiences she has uncovered her life’s purpose, discovered the power that lies with her authentic self...
As a result, Bessie has emerged as a living testament to the value in life’s valleys and power of acting on faith and now she passes on all that she learned from experiences. Bessie attended Patterson School as an adolescent and played basketball... Her skills were so captivating that the team would cheer her on the court stating, “There’s old Bessie ain’t she hard? How could she lose with the stuff she uses?” Bessie grew up during the days of the Depression... As she often state, “We had to work hard just to keep our body and souls together...”
Opportunities did not abound much, yet she was taught at an early age, the standard of being a Christian woman and as promised the scripture ; “She did not depart from them...” Bessie accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal savior at the young tender age and her joy in life was her love of God, her steadfast faith; Her church and her dedication to her family and friends... Among peers, her faith in God was an example to all who know her...
At 23, Bessie united in holy matrimony with Booker T. Townsend
(first husband) and to this union a beautiful daughter was born, Arlisher Townsend Guss who preceded her in death (2001); also Jimmie Guss Jr. (Grand Son) who also preceded her in death (1996)... Bessie married a second husband the late Wiley Keys and during this union eight (8) children were born... (Wiley passed away 1968)...
Bessie has worked at Kemoll’s restaurant as well as in several local hospitals... She touched and influenced numerous lives throughout her career displaying her trust and love of God... Bessie joined Mercy Seat Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. Roosevelt Brown, Sr. and under the leadership of Pastor James Brown, Sr. and has worked faithfully on the Usher Board, Health Unit, Golden Age, and Kitchen Committee until her health started to fail. Bessie all enjoyed her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and family as a whole...
She actively seek to be a sage at her church, school, and community while passing on the stories of her faith and offering guidance for others on their journey... Bessie would often said, “Please, give my flowers, while I yet still live, so I can smell and enjoy them while I can... Please don’t wait till I’m ready to go and then slip some lilies in my hand...
In this world we need the flowers a kind word to help us get along... If you can’t give me flowers while I’m living, then please don’t throw them when I’m gone.” “Do not cast me off in the time of old age.
”Psalm 91:7 One of Bessie’s favorite scripture “
”Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies...”
As a result, Bessie has emerged as a living testament to the value in life’s valleys and power of acting on faith and now she passes on all that she learned from experiences. Bessie attended Patterson School as an adolescent and played basketball... Her skills were so captivating that the team would cheer her on the court stating, “There’s old Bessie ain’t she hard? How could she lose with the stuff she uses?” Bessie grew up during the days of the Depression... As she often state, “We had to work hard just to keep our body and souls together...”
Opportunities did not abound much, yet she was taught at an early age, the standard of being a Christian woman and as promised the scripture ; “She did not depart from them...” Bessie accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal savior at the young tender age and her joy in life was her love of God, her steadfast faith; Her church and her dedication to her family and friends... Among peers, her faith in God was an example to all who know her...
At 23, Bessie united in holy matrimony with Booker T. Townsend
(first husband) and to this union a beautiful daughter was born, Arlisher Townsend Guss who preceded her in death (2001); also Jimmie Guss Jr. (Grand Son) who also preceded her in death (1996)... Bessie married a second husband the late Wiley Keys and during this union eight (8) children were born... (Wiley passed away 1968)...
Bessie has worked at Kemoll’s restaurant as well as in several local hospitals... She touched and influenced numerous lives throughout her career displaying her trust and love of God... Bessie joined Mercy Seat Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. Roosevelt Brown, Sr. and under the leadership of Pastor James Brown, Sr. and has worked faithfully on the Usher Board, Health Unit, Golden Age, and Kitchen Committee until her health started to fail. Bessie all enjoyed her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and family as a whole...
She actively seek to be a sage at her church, school, and community while passing on the stories of her faith and offering guidance for others on their journey... Bessie would often said, “Please, give my flowers, while I yet still live, so I can smell and enjoy them while I can... Please don’t wait till I’m ready to go and then slip some lilies in my hand...
In this world we need the flowers a kind word to help us get along... If you can’t give me flowers while I’m living, then please don’t throw them when I’m gone.” “Do not cast me off in the time of old age.
”Psalm 91:7 One of Bessie’s favorite scripture “
”Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies...”
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