Bessie Lee Vereen

Mrs. Vereen was born in Brunswick County on November 13, 1935 and was the daughter of the late William Joseph McDowell and Florence Flowers McDowell. Bessie grew up working on neighboring farms in her community and worked six days a week during tobacco season.She graduated from Bolivia High School on May 27, 1955. She and her husband, Zodock, were united in marriage November 21, 1954 and were married for 67 years. Zodock and Bessie raised tobacco on their farm. They grew vegetables and Day Lilly’s and sold them at their produce stand for 25 years. Bessie was a member of Mill Creek Baptist Church and was involved for many years in the Nursery, Kitchen Committee, Vacation Bible School and Youth Group. At Christmas time, she loved to decorate her home inside as well as outdoors for Christmas. She enjoyed baking sweets, candy, cookies and Thanksgiving and Christmas meals. Bessie was very loving and was devoted to her family. She always wanted to help others that were in need. Bessie was a devoted mother and wife. She will be greatly missed.

She was preceded in death by her sisters, Theo Bass, Gladys Lewis, Vernie Gainey, Louise Caison and Madalene Marshburn.

She is survived by her husband, Zodock Vereen; four children, Carolyn Clemmons and husband, Larry, of Bolivia, Wilbur Vereen and wife, Janet, of Bolivia, Terry Vereen and wife, DeVota, of Caswell Beach, and Robert Vereen and wife, Marissa Simmons, of Ivanhoe, NC; sister, Marie Justice, of Bolivia; grandchildren, Rev. Brian Clemmons, Cassandra Rochelle, Malin Vereen, Thalia Simmons; great-grandchildren, Lucas, Abby, Joseph, Aidan, Eli, Aubry, Jordyn, Anna, Jenna, Lilly and Garrett.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 6, 2022 at eleven o’clock in the morning at Mill Creek Baptist Church with Reverend Jared Galloway and Reverend Anthony Clemmons officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Tommy Gore, Chad Scott, Randy Watts, Lucas Clemmons, Joseph Clemmons and Kenny Scott.

In lieu of flowers the family ask that memorial donations be made to SECU Hospice House of Brunswick, 955 Mercy Lane, Bolivia, NC 28422.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.whitefuneralservicesupply.com for the Vereen family.