Bessie Cleo Kent was born September 20, 1933 in Carthage, North Carolina to the late Lozie E. Cagle and Willie Smith. On December 05, 2020, Bessie caught her train to glory to meet her heavenly Father.

Bessie attended school in Carthage, NC. graduating from Pickney High School in 1951. She lived in New York City for several years before settling in Akron, Ohio with her family and marrying George Kent.

Bessie’s kind heart led her to dedicate herself to helping others by working as a caregiver, nurses’ aide, and home health aide throughout her years. She was last employed at Cherry Creek Acres in Stow, Ohio.

When Bessie was not working, she was enjoying her family and found delight in spending time with her grandchildren and tending to her various ministries. She was known for her cooking, especially those sweet potato pies and ambrosia. She was known for her generosity and kind heart, always giving an encouraging and uplifting word, helping whomever she saw in need in whatever way the Lord led her to do so. One of the many ways she helped those around her was by feeding anyone in need, and later starting a food pantry at her church.

Minister Kent genuinely loved the Lord, and she was a dedicated servant of God. She was an anointed singer with a melodious voice.  She accepted requests to sing across the City of Akron (“Just Another Day” and “This Train”). One of the highlights of her singing career was recording the album, “Signs of the Judgement” with Hill’s Temple First Born Church of the Living God Choir. She recorded a solo, “Jesus Supplies Your Every Need” on this album. One of Bessie’s many spiritual gifts was as a helper and willing worker. She began working in ministry at the First-Born Church of the Living God first under the late Pastor Oscar Hill in Akron.  Then she was led to assist Pastor Langford Floyd at Grace Memorial in Cleveland.  Later, she returned to Akron to continue her ministry as a founding member of the Open-Door Evangelistic Church, under Pastor Langford Floyd. She later answered her call as co-founder and co-pastor of Greater Evangelistic Temple with the Late Pastor Connie Riley. She held many offices within the church body, some of which are pastor, ordained minister, church mother, missionary and choir member.

Bessie Kent was preceded in death by her father, Willie Smith; mother, Lozzie Cagle; aunts, Chattie Mae (Robert) Haywood of Akron; Melba (Julius) Cole of Carthage, NC; sons, Robert Kent of Akron and Ivan Kent of Savanna, GA. She was also preceded in death by her niece, Erica Sherman of Akron and great nephew, Michael Henson of Akron; special friends, Deacon Jack Satterwhite, Pastor Connie Riley, Betty Harris-Paxton, Bishop and First Lady Kenneth Simmons, Min. Maxine Winters and Deacon Rochester Hargrove.

Bessie is survived by her loving daughters, Lora (Robert) Hunt and Mary Kent of Akron; grandchildren, Necho (Pebbles) Anderson of Oklahoma City, OK, Te’Anna Hunt and Lauren Hunt of Akron; great grandchildren, Juda Green, Deya’monie Green, Nala Williams of Oklahoma City, OK, Lafayette Man Martin IV of Akron and Necho Anderson II, of Oklahoma City, OK.; her sisters, Catherine Sherman and Peggy Holmes of Akron; aunt, Golina Clyde Jackson; cousins, Alexander (Evaughn) Cagle and Elder Vester Lee Morrison of Akron; nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of other relatives, adopted children and friends; special friends, Van Jones and Frances Hargrove and family.

Special thanks to SummaCare Palliative/Hospice Care Team, Timberland Ridge Nursing Home, Greater Akron Dialysis Care Team, Area Agency on Aging, Freddie White, Pam Hargrove, Will Hamilton, Mike Mc Creary, and all her various care givers.