Mrs. Charlene Annette Ferguson Bess, 39, also known as "Chalie" of 4890 Boiling Springs Road, Tobaccoville, NC departed this life on Sunday, September 23, 2007.

She was born on April 16, 1968 in Forsyth County to Sylvia Ferguson and Lewis Tate. She was a 1986 graduate of Carver High School and was employed by the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools, the Nitty Gritty Soul Café, and Quality Hair Salon.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Mammie Ruth Tate Edwards and Louis Edwards.

In addition to her parents, she is survived by her grandmother, Anna Ferguson; her loving husband of 24 years, Lamont Bess; a daughter, Charmane; one son, Lamont Bess, Jr.; one sister, Ebony (WC) Tate Hay; aunts, Elizabeth Tate and Gwen and Tonya Ferguson; her mother-in-law, Ola C. Morris; two brothers-in-law, Timothy (Tonya) Bess and Bernard Bess; one sister-in-law, Cynthia (Welton) Loftin; two very devoted friends, Tonya Bess and Bronna Walker; nieces and nephews, Zion and Zach Loftin, and Timothy Bess, Jr.; and a host of other cousins, relatives, and friends.

A celebration of her life will be held at 1pm Saturday, September 29, 2007 from the Greater Cleveland Avenue Christian Church with Bishop Sheldon McCarter officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. The family visitation will be held from noon until 1pm on Saturday at the Church. The family will be receiving friends at all other times at the home of her mother Sylvia Ferguson, 931-H Highland Avenue and at the home of her aunt Gloria Bess Mackins at 5171 Horn Drive.