Ms. Helen Elaine Bess Simmons, 62, of 5185 Asia Channel Drive, departed this life on Monday, March 19, 2007 after an extended period of illness. She was born on October 25, 1944 to J.C. and Dorothy Bess of Winston-Salem, NC.

She was a member of Rising Ebenezer Baptist Church. Helen was formally employed with Forsyth Medical Center where she retired after 27 years of service.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

She leaves to mourn her loss three daughters, Jimmetra (Jeremy) Williams, Gethenia Bess, and India (Marvin) Bodney; two sons, Leon Bess and James (Tonia) Caldwell; her grandchildren, Joycelyn, Dale, Leon, Jr., Shawn, Gakkerra, Devod, Monique, Kearra, Jequan and Jaliki; five great-grandchildren; seven sisters, Loretta Bess Adams, Hortencia (William) Rice, Edith (Lawrence) Wade, Claudette (Donald) Atwine, Gloria (Lewis) Mackins, Celestine Morris and Mary (Hartwell) King; ten brothers, James C. Bess, Jr. of Loma Linda, CA, James (Kathy) of Atlanta, GA, Herman, Willie, Melrose, Vierl (Margaret), Kenneth (Karen), Tyrone, Bobby and Thurmond; two aunts, Velma Blackwell of New York City, NY and Cora Watkins of Cooleemee, NC; fifty-four nieces and nephews; extended family members in the Harrison and Williams families; three devoted friends, Gloria Jolly, Mary Thompson, and Linda Little; as well as a host of cousins, other relatives, and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 24, 2007 at 1:00 PM from the Phillips Chapel Baptist Church with Minister Edward W. Greene officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. The family visitation will be held from 12 NOON until 1:00 PM on Saturday at the Church. The family will be receiving friends beginning today at 722 Essex Road, Winston-Salem, NC.