Harriet A Sessoms

Harriet Ann was born on January 30, 1934, in the small town of Dunbarton, South Carolina (Barnwell County), to Molly Pullen Floyd and Harvey Stafford Floyd, both educators. Because of her parents' teaching careers, the family lived in several small South Carolina towns before settling in Ridge Spring, where Harriet Ann graduated from high school.

Following in the footsteps of her older sister, Lutsie, Harriet Ann attended Winthrop College, graduating in 1956 with a degree in Public School Music. She began her career teaching music in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. In 1957, she married Walter W. Sessoms, a graduate of Wofford College who worked for Southern Bell Telephone Company.

Soon after their marriage, Walt entered the U.S. Army, and together they spent two memorable years at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and Babenhausen, Germany. After returning to the United States, Walt resumed his career with Southern Bell, and Harriet Ann taught first grade in the Columbia, South Carolina, public schools.

In 1969, Walt accepted an assignment with AT&T in New York, and with their three young children, the family moved to New Jersey. Over the next decade, the Sessoms family embraced a life of adventure, making homes in Atlanta, Washington, Charlotte, Miami, and eventually returning to Atlanta, where Walt retired from the telephone company in 1997. Through it all, Harriet’s love for her family home in SC kept them grounded and centered and was a welcoming place she and Walt, their children and grandchildren, all consider a second home.

Harriet found her greatest joy in being with Walt and raising their children. She was a devoted member of the United Methodist Church, where she especially loved singing in the choir. She cherished time with friends through bridge, her neighborhood book club, and playing tennis. She loved time at the beach and Lake Lanier, where she water skied well into her 70s! Later in life, she discovered a love for travel, especially with friends to Europe and Alaska.

She was also an active member of the Sandy Springs Society, serving in several leadership and volunteer roles while supporting its philanthropic mission. She and Walt were generous and actively supported others, particularly through the establishment of several college scholarships that reflected their belief in expanding educational opportunities for young people.

Harriet was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Lutsie Floyd McClymont; her beloved daughter, Molly Sessoms; and her husband of almost 50 years, Walter W. Sessoms.

Harriet Ann will be remembered for her steadfast faith, her devotion to her family and friends, and her genuine care for others. She had a gift for making people feel seen, valued, and loved. Her kindness, generosity, and gentle spirit touched countless lives, and her legacy will live on in all who were blessed to know her.

She is lovingly remembered by her children, Lee Sessoms and Kay Sessoms Jacobi; and her cherished grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Epworth Children’s Home or Murphy-Harpst Children’s Center.

Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial service on Saturday, July 11, at 11:00 a.m. at Lenbrook, 3747 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30319.

A graveside service will be held on Sunday, July 12, at 2:00 p.m. in Darlington, South Carolina.