Bessie Mae Pritchett

Obituary Bessie Mae Green Pritchett, better known as Bessie Green; Mama; Granny; Nana, 104, of Beaufort, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 15, 2022 at home with her daughter. Due to inclement weather the previous service date has change. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, January 29, 2022 at Bridgeway Church in Beaufort. A viewing will be held prior to the service from 10:00 to 11:00 am. A repass will be held at the church following the service. She was born on January 7, 1918 to the late Allen & Anna Spell in Cottageville South Carolina. She peacefully and quietly joined her husband and other family and friends that had gone before her as they all welcomed her to the most joyous of reunion. Bessie attended school in Ridgeville South Carolina before she packed her belongings and moved to Philadelphia to start a new life filled with many opportunities that most black women in the south were not allotted to in the early 50s. In 1959 she came to Beaufort to help her brother out of a sticky situation. While here she saw that there was no place for the black fisherman to relax or eat a home cooked meal so she fulfilled the void by establishing Greens Boarding House on Pine Street and purchased multiple pieces of property on the white side of town in Beaufort. During this time, she met and married Fred Allen Henry of Beaufort. After the death of her husband she later remarried John Henry Pritchett of Scotland Neck, North Carolina. Also, while here in Beaufort, she joined the Social Elite Temple, 766 where she served as an active member until 2014 before her health began to fail. She joined Purvis Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church, Beaufort upon setting down roots here. At Purvis, she served as an Usher, Trustee, Stewart and a Missionary faithfully until her failing heath no longer allowed her to serve as an active member. Between church activities and club functions she paved the way for many entrepreneurs big and small. She had a kind heart and caring spirit. Anyone that was in her presence could attest to this fact. She opened her door to all and feed many without hesitation. She leaves to cherish her memory, her daughter Laveria Pritchett Murrell (Rodney) of the home; Four Grandchildren; Latasha Murrell (Eddie) Beaufort; Victoria Washington of the home; LaShaunda Coffey (Shawndale), Havelock North Carolina and Kendrick Frazier (North River). 6 Great Grandchildren; Eddie Murrell Jr (EJ), Gabrielle Murrell, DaMaya Washington, Kamyia Lane, Kazara Coffey and Khamil Coffey as well a host of nieces and nephews, great and great great. A special thank you to her niece Gladys Sharp for being the Ram in the bush to step in and take the best care of my mother. Also, and special thanks to Tressa Carter for her service also when stepping in to take care of my mother until Jan 3rd. She was preceded in death by her parents; Allen and Anna Spell, her brothers: John Spell, Allen Spell, Andrew Spell, Pearlie Spell, Joseph Spell and Moses Spell; her sisters: Rachell Spell, Maglee Perry and Mazie Brown; Her first husband Fred Allen Henry and last husband John Henry Pritchett. Condolences and life tributes may be sent to the family at www.noefs.net. Arrangements by Noe Funeral Service, Inc. of Beaufort, NC. Services Visitation Saturday January 29, 2022 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM Bridgeway Church (Beaufort) Memorial Service Saturday January 29, 2022 11:00 AM Bridgeway Church (Beaufort)