Sister Bessie D. Olden

May 1, 1926 - February 12, 2016

On Friday, February 12, 2016, Sister Bessie D. Olden, wife of the late Ulysses Olden, Sr., departed this earthly life at Palmetto Health Tuomey. She was born in Sumter, SC to the late Miles and Minnie Hilton Dawson of Sumter County. Mrs. Olden attended the public schools of Sumter County and received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from Morris College, Sumter, SC. Her natural gift for teaching was demonstrated at Delaine Elementary School in Sumter, where she taught for several years uplifting the hearts and minds of many. At an early age, she accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. She served faithfully at the following churches: Hopewell Baptist Church, Wayman Chapel AME and High Hill Missionary Baptist Church. Her devoted service was shown in the Sunday School Service, the Missionary Ministry as well as other ministries in the church. Mrs. Olden was preceded in death by her parents, husband, three sisters and four brothers. She leaves to cherish her precious memory: a daughter Geneva (Lawrence) Thomas, Columbia, SC; a son, Ulysses (Cynthia) Olden, Fayetteville, NC; five grandchildren: Bryan (Mesha) Thomas, Hampton, VA, Bridget (Rasheen) Lewis, Covington, Ga., Terrell E. Olden, Shannon (Shanika) Olden, Devin Olden all of Fayetteville, NC; six great grandchildren; a sister, Marilee (George) Burkett, Willingboro, NJ; a brother, Bennie Dawson, Philadelphia, PA; a sister-in-law, Larlia C. Olden, Wedgefield, SC; five special nieces: Wilhelmenia Johnson, Shirley Olden, Wanda Johnson, Jacqueline Glisson, and Gwen Mack, all of Sumter, SC; along with a host of other dear relatives and friends.