Bessie Mae James, maiden name Bessie Mae Williams was born in Edgefield, South Carolina on November 20th 1923 to Robert and Rebecca Key Williams. She was the oldest of 12 children. At an early age, she was baptized at Poplar Spring Baptist Church. As a young woman, she started her nursing career in South Carolina which was her passion. She also completed some college courses at South Carolina State located in Orangeburg, South Carolina.

Later on in life, she moved to Brooklyn, NY where she lived with her second oldest sister, Annie Bell Middleton, now deceased, where she would continue her nursing career. The two sisters became members of Zion Baptist Church in Brooklyn, NY. In 1966 she married Benjamin Franklin James, now deceased of Jamaica Queens NY, where she lived for the rest of her life. Upon marriage, she became a member of Allen AME Church of Jamaica, Queens, NY.

Bessie Mae continued her nursing career in Brooklyn, NY up until the time of the birth of her only child, Marvin Anthony James on January 27, 1968. From the time Marvin was an infant, she worked for herself babysitting a number of children who lived within the neighborhood. Around 1980, she went back into the nursing field as a visiting nurse where she continued into retirement.

Bessie Mae was known for her sharp memory regarding family history on both her mother and fathers side of the family. She was also known for her good cooking which she had a passion for since she was a child. In her leisure time, she would sew and make dresses and coats for herself. She also had a creative style for crocheting. Because of the beauty and creative styles of the dresses, coats and crocheted item, she was able to sell them within the community.

In the late nineties, she became a member of the senior choir at Allen AME Church. Around 2005, she joined the South East Queens Ecumenical Ensemble Choir of St. Matthews Community AME Church in Hollis, NY having participating members from different churches.

Bessie Mae James departed this life the morning of January 4th 2025 at the rich age of 101 yrs. She leaves behind her only son, Marvin; her two youngest brothers, George Williams and Theodus Williams and his wife Carmen Williams; her two youngest sisters, Ellen Langford and her husband Reverend Nathaniel Langford and Hazel Langford and her God Daughter, Carla Wilder and her husband Clint Wilder the 3rd. She also leaves behind a host of nieces and nephews, as well as, grand nieces and nephews along with a host of cousins and other relatives and closely related in-laws.

A loving wife and mother. A cherished and loved sister, aunt and cousin. Truly a woman of God who lived a life of service and love to others which is the commandment of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Rest in Peace!!!

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Thursday, January 23, 2025 at Crowe's Funeral Home (107-44 Sutphin Blvd, Jamaica, NY.) Interment will follow in Springfield Cemetery (Springfield Gardens, NY.)

Announcement courtesy of G. L. Brightharp & Sons Mortuary. Crowe's Funeral Homes of Jamaica, NY is assisting the family.