Bessie Mae Wilson Smith, 66

DOVER - Bessie Mae Wilson Smith of Dover departed this life at Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital, Dover on Aug.16, 2007. She was 66.

Mrs. Smith was born July 8, 1941, in Tennille, Ga. to the late Linnie Mae Wilson and John Henry Wilson and J.W. Jenkins.

She graduated from T.J. Elder High School in Tennille.

Mrs. Smith worked at Kraft (General) Foods for over 30 years with perfect attendance as a machine operator.

She was a lifetime member of Hubbard Chapel, in Wrightsville, Ga.

Mrs. Smith later joined Victory Crusade and was a faithful member for over 30 years in Dover.

She later branched out and was a committed member of Lifting up Holy Hands for five years, Dover and her final membership was at Frontline Ministries, Dover.

Mrs. Smith served proudly as an usher at all of her church memberships and was president of the Usher Board at Frontline Ministries.

She was a "worker bee" and she had a passion for "working overtime at Kraft Foods," reading her Bible daily, gardening, walking, crocheting, watching "Judge Judy," and "Judge Joe Brown" and her favorite car, her "Mercedes."

Most of all, she had a compassionate heart for giving.

Mrs. Smith was the "backbone" for many families from Miami, Tennille, and Dover.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her grandmother, Bessie M. Miller; brothers, David L. Wilson, Nathanial Wilson, and Jimmie L. Wilson; uncle, Hubert Miller; father-in-law, Benjamin F. Smith Sr.; one brother-in-law, John M. Smith; and son, Benjamin F. Smith III.

She leaves to cherish fond memories her loving husband of 42 years, Benjamin F. Smith Jr. of Dover; nine children, Calporenia James and husband, Jeffrey of Oklahoma City, James A. Wilson, Angela C. Wilson, Joyce M. Wilson, all of Dover, George H. Smith of Pensacola, Fla., Malitha Smith, Dollisa Phillips, Alice Smith, all of Annapolis, and Barbara Cephas and husband, Scott of Smyrna; one brother, Johnny Wilson and wife, Shirley of Dover; four brother-in-laws, William Smith and wife, Shirley, Matthew L. Smith and wife, Rosa, James A. Smith and wife, Dorothy and Tom Smith, all of Dover; sisters-in-law, Edie M. Wilson, Roberta Potts and Elizabeth Massey, all of Dover; and Alice and her husband, Norwood Coleman of Wilmington; mother-in-law, Viola M. Smith of Dover; adopted mother, Retha M. Cooper of Dover; and favorite aunt, Bessie D. Pierce of Miami; 21 grandchildren, TaWanna D. Durham, James D. Durham, Ericca L. Wilson, Jamar A. Muhammad Wilson, all of Dover, Jazmine O. James, Oklahoma City, Alexis Smith, Benjamin Smith IV, April Smith and Saprena Sample, all of Annapolis, just to name a few; six great-grandchildren; a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, friends, and co-workers.

Viewing will be 1 p.m. and services at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Frontline Ministries, 595 N. Dupont Highway, Dover.

Burial will be in Wrightsville.