Bessie Virginia Newsome was born in Mocksville on March 24, 1926 to the late George and Mary Ijames Bryant. She received her education in Davie County and graduated from Davie County Training School in 1944. She attended Tennessee State University where she studied sociology and history and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in History in 1949. She was married to Robert Newsome in 1949 and to that union two children were born, Stedman in 1950 and Odessa in 1952. The family moved to New York around 1955. In 1958 her husband Robert passed away. Bessie worked for the Sucher family for eighteen years before returning to Mocksville. Bessie worked for Drexel Heritage for eighteen years and retired. She then worked for Davie County CAP (Community Alternatives Program) as an in-home nurse's aide for twenty-four years. Bessie was a member of Mocksville Second Presbyterian Church for many years. In 1982 she began attending Clement Grove Church of God, 7th Day. For more than twenty years Bessie and her dear cousin, Lucille Ijames, served as missionaries, visiting local nursing homes as well as nursing homes in the surrounding counties. Bessie lived a life in Christ and knew Him as her personal Lord and Savior. She shared the Gospel with her family and all those she knew.

Bessie was known fondly to many as Mama Sweetie. On July 30, 2020 at the age of 94, Mama Sweetie entered into her eternal rest. She is survived by her two children, Stedman (Lola) Newsome and Odessa Ijames, both of Mocksville; grandchildren: Paul Ijames and Jonathan (Miranda) Ijames both of Charlotte, Cassandra Black of Raleigh, Stephanie Ijames of Greensboro, Stephan Newsome of New Jersey and Tasha Godfrey of Statesville; great-grandchildren: Rodney Cline, Brandon Ijames, Caleb Ijames, Malik White, Isaiah Ijames, Jacob Ijames, Benjamin Ijames, Jalyn Ijames and a host of other relatives, church family and friends. The family extends special thanks to Well Care Home Health and Hospice Care in Advance, NC, and to Clement Grove Church of God, 7th Day for all your care and support.

Public viewing for Bessie will be on Wednesday, August 5, 2020 at Clement Grove Church of God, 7th Day from noon until 2:00 p.m. and a graveside service will be held immediately following the viewing at Palmetto Cemetery on Highway 601 North.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Wellcare Home Health and Hospice Care at 5380 US Highway 158, Suite 210, Advance, NC 27006 or Clement Grove Church of God, 7th Day at 159 Parker Road, Mocksville, NC 27028 .