On May 18, 1942, Bessie Brown was born in Paducah, Kentucky to Mr. Fred and Ella Brown. Bessie was the baby of nine siblings. Her mother filled their home with piano playing while their father was a carpenter. She grew up in a home in which the family was required to attend Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. She accepted Jesus Christ as her personal savior early in life and served God her entire life. Bessie was very loved and even a bit spoiled by their mother. She was a fun-loving child who enjoyed going to school and being part of school plays.
In 1956 the family moved from Paducah, Kentucky to Cleveland, Ohio because Cleveland offered better opportunities. While in Cleveland, she met her first husband, James Sims and immediately became integrated into his family. They were married 34 years and to their union four children were born. They divorced in the early 1990’s. She then re-married to Clarence Davis in 1997 with whom she would remain married to until death.
Bessie attended St. Andrews Missionary Baptist Church where she would sing in the senior choir. She later attended Zion Chapel Missionary Baptist Church where she would serve on the Mothers Guild. She left Zion Chapel to follow her husband, Clarence Davis, to Second Calvary Missionary Baptist Church where she served as a Deaconess. She loved her church family as her own. She was truly a servant of God and dedicated to her church home.
Bessie’s “day job” was at Brentwood Hospital where she was a housekeeper where she retired from. However, she had a passion for home decorating, she would hang wallpaper for family and friends and could coordinate a room like no other! After retirement, she would then work part-time for a flower shop in which again she found herself coordinating flower arrangements. She also competed in the bowling league, where she would be found every Tuesday evening.
In this same spirit, she was affectionately known as “Dressy Bessie” because she was so stylish from head to toe. Everyone would wait to see what outfit Bessie arranged for herself each day. She had a keen eye for color and style. Her personality was especially colorful as well if you knew her you would automatically understand.
Bessie leaves to cherish her husband Clarence Davis of 26 years. Their children Vanessa Brown, Subrina King, Sherine Sims (Curtis), Zachary Sims, Kristina Simmons (Dameon) and Bruce Davis (Juanita). Grandchildren: Sherita (Dewey Ill), Shatia, Darren, Jerjuan, Paige, Curtrice, Nicole, Max, Damia, Dameon II and Devin. Great-grandchildren: Mi’trice, Dallas, Denver, Andre, Dewey IV, Savannah, Donte and Dominic. Siblings: Elsie Rowlett (deceased), Fred Brown Jr (deceased), Stanley Brown (deceased), Fannie Wims (deceased), Charlotte Connors, Roger Brown. She also leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.