Bessie Mae Smith, one of thirteen children born to George and Willow Smith, passed away Monday, May 16, 2016. She was born on September 21, 1924 in Wadesboro, NC. She moved to Winston-Salem, NC in 1956 to attend barber school and worked at several local barber shops before opening her own in the mid 1970's. She also received a certification as a CNA and received an award as "Employee of the Year" while working at the Winston-Salem Convalescent Center from which she retired after many years of service.

Ms. Smith was a member of Goler Memorial AME Zion Church and served on the usher board.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

She leaves to cherish her memories her son, David Smith of Winston-Salem, NC; one granddaughter, Christina Collins of Winston-Salem, NC; four great-grandsons; one brother, John Clifton Smith of Candor, NC; four sisters, Marion Spinks, Elizabeth Gregory, Pecolia Harrington of Greensboro, NC, and Ida Turner of Atlantic City, NJ; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 12:30pm Monday, May 23, 2016 at St. Peters Church & World Outreach Center with Reverend JC Hash, Jr. officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. The family visitation will be held from 12noon until 12:30pm on Monday at the Church.