Melvin Berkley Bess

Melvin Berkley Bess, 81, of 17 Creekside Circle, passed away Sunday evening, January 20, 2013 at Kings Daughters Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Staunton. He was born November 22, 1931 in Alleghany County, the son of the late Thomas Cecil and Hattie May Kimbrough Bess. He was a member of Valley Baptist Church of Stuarts Draft, a lifetime member of the Shenandoah Valley Coin Club and a member of Woodmen of the World. He retired as an elementary school principal from the Suffolk City School System In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Earl Bess, two sisters; Pearl Howard and Louise Robison. Survivors include his loving wife, Janet Marie Campbell Bess, special friends, Angie Kincaid, Laura Ann Hess, (who he considered his daughter), Beverly Zimmerman, Roger Lilly, Vicky, Junior Webster, Dotty Tisdale, Drema Hiner, Daisy Vernon and Sandy Ogle. He also leaves his pet “Wendy”. A funeral service will be held 2:00 PM Thursday, January 24, 2013 at the Waynesboro Chapel of Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Homes by Pastor Frank Hall and the Rev. Linwood Wilkes. Burial will follow in Mt. Paran Baptist Church Cemetery, Montebello. Active pallbearers will be Earl Diehl, Jason Campbell, Bob Campbell, Roger Lilly, Tommy White and Thomas Campbell. The family will receive friends from 6-8:00 PM Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at the funeral home. Mrs. Bess will also receive friends at the residence of Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Campbell of 123 Vance Lane, Stuarts Draft anytime. Family and friends are invited to share a memory, send condolences and sign the guest book by visiting www.reynoldshamrickfuneralhomes.com