Bessie Byrd Oliver

November 8, 2008

11/08/2008

Bessie Byrd Oliver O‚??Berry Harden went to be with her Lord Saturday, November 8, 2008. She was born in Nasemond County, Virginia July 26th, 1913. She was the daughter of the late Nathaniel Byrd and Elmyra Parker Byrd of Whaleyville,Virginia.

She was a graduate of Whaleyville High School and worked in retail until her marriage. She was a dedicated Christian and served the Lord in Many ways. She taught Sunday School at Liberty Spring Christian Church and Harrellsville Methodist Church. She served her church in Harrellsville by providing music every week until 2002. For her continued service, the Church honored her with a plaque of Gratitude. She was an active member of the Eastern Star, Chapter #99 and served as the first Worthy Matron along with her husband George Otis O‚??Berry as the First Worthy Patron. She also was appointed as a Representative to the State of Indiana as an Ambassador for the Eastern Star. A 50th anniversary dinner recognized her with a presentation of a pin for her 50 years of service. She served on the Town Council of Harrellsville and the Historical Society of Hertford County.

A Celebration of Life service will be held Tuesday, November 11, 2008 at 2PM at Garrett Funeral Home in the Ashley Chapel, 205 NC Hwy 42 West,Ahoskie,NC 27910. Burial will follow in Liberty Spring Christian Church Cemetery . Rev. Walter Johnson will officiate.

Left to cherish her memory is her daughter Betty Oliver Bracy and her husband Bill of Rocky Mount, and a granddaughter, M. Lee Bracy of Gordonsville, Virginia. Also, her stepson, Dr. Walter S. O‚??Berry and wife Sarah of Jacksonville,NC and family, two stepdaughters-in-law Dorothy Lynch O‚??Berry of Virginia Beach,VA and Emily Byrum O‚??Berry Oliver of Sunbury,NC and their families, one sister-in-law, Daisy Ann Byrd of Franklin,VA. , her nephew William Byrd and his wife Terry of Richmond,VA and Gloria Byrd Worrell and Belinda Byrd of Franklin,VA.

She is preceded in death by her husband John Edward Oliver (1945) George O‚??Berry (1976) and Vernon Harden, her son John Edward Oliver, Jr. and three brothers, Raymond, William Henry Byrd and Nathaniel Wright Byrd, Jr. She is a descendant of William H. Byrd which dates back to October 22, 1851. The family held reunions once a year for more than 75 years.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the funeral service at Garrett Funeral Home.

Garrett Funeral Home is serving the Harden family.

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Melanie Storey
15 years ago

Mrs. Bessie Harden was an Extension Homemaker with the Hertford County Cooperative Extension. She had been a club member for many years. We missed her when she became unable to attend the meetings. Mrs. Harden was a wonderful person.

Landis and Vivian Pugh Neal
15 years ago

Betty Jean and Billy,

Sorry to hear of the passing of your mother, may the fond and loving memories help heal your broken heart. Would love to see you, please get in touch with us so we can catch up with the last 25 years.

love,

Landis and Vivian

Elisha Jack and Joyce W Evans
15 years ago

Our Sincere Sympathy to all the Family.May the memories of her life that you hold dear to your heart ,comfort and strengthen you in this your time of sorrow and her homegoing.

NANCY TADLOCK
15 years ago

I was saddened when I open the paper this morning and read of “Miss Bessie”

death. I did so enjoy talking with her

when she came into our office to pay her house insurance. She was a really

sweet lady. My sincere sympathy to the

entire family. I lost my mother in

2003and I know what a loss it is.