Bessie Mae Charles

Bessie Mae Charles is a lover of God and people, and a caring mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, 1/9/2022. Bessie is survived by her children from oldest to youngest: Tyrone Wilkins, Arlette Wilkins-Langer, Patrick Wilkins, Darren Wilkins, and Lynette Wilkins-Vegas, and 28 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren, and her youngest sister, Marguerite Richardson, and a host of nieces and nephews and other relatives. Bessie was born to Jacob and Arilla Charles on May 28, 1934 in Marion, SC. Bessie’s parents migrated her and her siblings from SC to MD when Bessie was just a young girl. They first moved to Baltimore, MD before settling in Glen Burnie, MD where Bessie married and built a house next door to her parents where she has resided until her passing. Bessie was always proud of being a home owner and an independent, hard-working individual. She devoted her time daily to church, prayer and worship. She attended Jacob’s Temple of God in Glen Burnie, MD, formerly Israelite Pentecostal Holiness Church, under her father, Reverend Jacob Charles. The church is now being led by Pastor Mauricia Buck Bessie loved people! She never wanted anyone to be sad. She would always acquaint herself with the grief that anyone was suffering and would reach out to comfort them. She always asked others to pray for anyone who was sick, hurting or in need. She also loves her family and would give everything she had--even down to the last penny-- to help them! She would do without so others could have. She was always willing to absorb the suffering of others. She also demonstrated her love for people by the work she chose--working as a Certified Nurse Assistant in various nursing homes and hospitals for many years. She also had a daycare center in her home where she cared for children. She also took in the disabled and cared for them in her home. She always welcomed any visitors to her home. She loved socializing! Bessie loved gardening, canning and cooking fresh meals for her family. She also loved to bake in her younger years. One of her favorite cakes to bake is “German Chocolate”. She also loved to eat and socialize at various restaurants. Blueberry muffins and coffee was one of her favorite breakfast foods. She also loved to interpret dreams and watch her soaps “Guiding Light” and “As the World Turns”. One of the things she disliked the most was when she had to retire. She always talked about how she loved to work and how she wished she could continue. She also loved to laugh and would watch Family Feud just because Steve Harvey was the host; and he made her laugh. Her great-great niece, Shardae, would call her “Hot Tamale!” This made her laugh. Her niece, Annette Sutton, would send her money monthly. Annette told her it was just a little something. She told Annette, I don’t care if it’s just a penny, I really appreciate it. Annette amused her by sending her a letter in the mail with just a penny. Bessie always laughed about this. She loved mints! Her children and grand-children would always ask her for her mints. Sometimes she didn’t want to give away her last mints, but her character never let her say no, so she push the mints into the hands with some force. This made the children and grandchildren laugh! One of her sayings was “Watch it now!” when someone was teasing her. Also, she never liked anyone to say “bye” to her. If anyone said, “bye,” she would call them right back on the telephone and say “I don’t like no good byes”. We would then say another ending like “Talk to you later” or “So Long”. “Talk to you later” Mom when we meet you in Heaven!

Tributes

Bessie Mae Charles

May 28, 1934 - January 9, 2022