BESSIE RUTH SOLOMON
Bessie Ruth Solomon was born in Sumter, South Carolina on May 28, 1933 to Mr. Eddie Clark, Sr., and Ms. Zinker Jones. She departed this life on September 10, 2016
Bessie was educated in the Sumter County School System of Sumter.
Bessie married the late Freddie Solomon, Sr., and from that union came four sons and one daughter; Richard, Sumter, South Carolina, Freddie Jr., (Deceased in 2012) of Tampa Florida, O'Neal, Roger Solomon and Shirley A. Pugh (Deceased in 2003) all of Sumter, South Carolina. One special granddaughter reared in the home Breanna Solomon along with an adopted son, Shyquan M. Solomon of Sumter that was reared in the home until such time when her health started to fail. Because of the love and affection both she and Freddie Sr., had they made sure that both children were taken care of upon graduating from High School.
Bessie received Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age and was baptized at Mulberry Baptist Church, Sumter, SC. She later moved her membership to Jehovah Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend Dr. Benjamin F. Weston. After the passing of Dr. Weston she has been under the leadership of her Pastor Reverend Marion H. Newton.
Bessie was employed at Sumter Laundry and Cleaners, Shaw AFB Cleaners and Campbell Soup Company. She, her husband and family owned and operated Solomon Old Fashion Kitchen, Sumter, SC. Bessie was one of several major entrepreneurs on the south side of Sumter. Bessie was a very generous and humble business woman. She believed that ownership was the model value to a good life for her and her family. She was always helping and giving to those in need, which included family friends and many others.
When Sumter was devastated with the terrible storm Hugo, she and her husband along with their four sons grandson, nephew and other family members provided food and water for over two thousand individuals and most all of the family members on the South side of Sumter. She never thought about herself or family, she only saw that there was a need in the community.
Bessie health started to fail after the passing of her husband (Freddie Solomon, Sr. 2003) and she no longer was able to continue to operate the family owed business. Bessie was placed in the nursing home for a short period of time for rehabilitation after a serious operation to her brain. After two and half year she was released and cared for in the home.
Bessie leaves a legacy of family and friends, including three sons: Richard (Ida Alexandria) Solomon, Sumter, SC, O'Neal (Dorothy) Solomon, Sumter, SC and Roger (Gloria Jean) Solomon, Sumter, SC; one daughter-in-law, Delilah Jeffers Solomon of Tampa Florida; nine grandchildren, Commander Dwayne L. (Karina B) Solomon, El Paso, Texas; Francesca (Alexx) Franklin, Mableton, GA, Quinshana Solomon, Augusta GA; Cherron Johnson, and Tasha Solomon, Sumter, SC; Investigator Derron Solomon, Sumter, SC; Lakisha Pugh, Marcus (Saretta) Pugh and Rodrick Pugh all of Sumter, SC; two foster children: Victoria Evans and Michael Evans of Sumter, SC; nineteen great grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, three Brothers: Eddie Clark (Juanita) Sumter, SC, JC (Geneva) Jones, Sumter, SC and Charles (Rosa) Seymour, Sumter SC and Annie Bell Solomon, Florence, SC: one Brother in Law: Alexander (Denise) White: two Nieces: Theresa Jones, Mary Alice "Geraldine" Solomon: three nephews: James C. Solomon, Derrick (Tanya) Jones, Garrett Jones and host of cousins family and friends. Four adopted sons: James Alston, Norris Harvin Harold Hicks, Sumter, SC, Pastor Terry B. Law of Florence, SC and David Thrower, Sumter, SC. Four special family friends: Otis Butler, Edith Gayle, Nelson Summers, and Randy Wells.
Bessie was preceded in death by Eddie Clark, Sr., (Father) Zinker Jones, (Mother) Robert Jones (Brother), Freddie Solomon (Son), Betty Clark, Maryann White, Bertha Blackwell and Flossie Way (Sisters). Hattie Golden, Adaline McGhaney, and Addie Rush (Best Friends)
Public Viewing will be held on Friday. September 16, 2016 from 2-7pm at Jobs' Mortuary
Mrs. Solomon will be placed in the church on Sat. Sept. 17, 2016 at 9am for viewing until the hour of service.
Funeral Services will be held on Sat. Sept. 17, 2017 at 10am at Jehovah Missionary Baptist Church 803 S. Harvin Street, Sumter, with Pastor Marion H. Newton, Eulogist, Rev. Ricky Simmons, Officiating.
Interment will follow in Mulberry Baptist Church Cemetery.
Family will be receiving friends at the home 3030 Tamarah Way, Sumter SC