In Loving Memory During a remarkable, accomplished life that spanned more than a century, Bessie M. Bess Giles was a first-hand witness to decades of American history - from the deprivation caused by the Great Depression and Jim Crow racism intended to diminish Black lives to the triumphs of space travel and the election of the first Black American president; from Model Ts to electric cars; from party lines to cell phones and the internet - she saw all of that and more. American history she undoubtedly shared with students as a dedicated teacher. As a teacher, mentor and role model who selflessly uplifted others, Bessie leaves her own extraordinary history. Bessie Bess was born September 1, 1921 in Houston Texas to Frank and Bertha Shields Bess, one of four children that included her twin sister, Birdie, older brother, Frank, and older sister, Olivia. When their parents died at an early age, Bessie and her siblings were raised by Jennie Shields, their maternal grandmother. Celebration of the Life of Mrs. Bessie M. (Bess) Giles Prelude Mrs. LaFaye Duren, Musician Processional Minister and Family Opening Statement Rev. Dr. Robert L. Jemerson, Sr. In her youth, Bessie enjoyed styling hair and thought she wanted to be a beautician. However, by the time she finished high school she had decided on a teaching career. She received her B.S. degree and Master’s in education from Prairie ViewA & M University. Hymn of Praise In 1948, she married the love of her life, Marcellus Lonnie Giles, and put down roots in San Antonio. In 1969, they moved to Ogden, Utah when Marcellus received a job transfer to the Clearfield Job Corps Center. While he was teaching vocational classes, she was laying a strong scholastic foundation for elementary school children. Bessie said they rarely spent a day apart because they were “perfectly matched”. In addition to their passion for education, the couple shared a love of travel, playing dominoes and bridge. Bessie, a champion bridge player, belonged to Saturday Morning Breakfast Bridge Club and Mi-Dear Bridge Club. She taught the card game to others well into her 90s. ‘Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! Oh what a foretaste of glory divine! Heir of purchase of God, born of His spirit, washed in His blood. Chorus: “This is my is my song, praising my Savior, all the day long; This is my story, this is Praising my Savor all the day long. “Perfect submission, perfect delight! rapture now burst on my sight; Angels descending bring from above echoes whispers of love.” Chorus: After Marcellus’ death in 1989, Bessie returned to San Antonio, and continued to teach. She often said a career in education was one of the best decisions she ever made because she “ate, talked and dreamed” teaching. Over a 38-year career, Bessie loved shaping young minds. She said her goal was “always to see some improvement” in each of her students. She was well known for perusing educational manuals for innovative ideas, purchasing supplies with her own money and setting up “learning centers” in her classroom. She was rewarded with accolades from parents and principals alike. Baptized at age 10, Bessie was as devoted to her church as she was to her classrooms. In her early years, she taught Sunday School, volunteered as Sunday school secretary and sang in the choir. In San Antonio, as an active member of Second Baptist Church, she participated in the Martin Luther King Service Guild and Women’s Missionary Union-Earnest Workers Circle. Bessie believed strongly in community service. She was also a member of Progressive Women’s Club and a steadfast, enthusiastic advocate of Delta Sigma Theta — her beloved sorority. She reveled in being celebrated as a member of Delta DEARS (Dedicated Energetic Active Respected Sorors) and, in 2008, she was deeply honored when the national organization recognized her for fifty years of service as a soror. In 2011, a community of well-wishers honored Bessie with a celebration on her 90" birthday — the first of many tributes acknowledging her amazing life. A decade later, in 2021, City of San Antonio Mayor, Ron Nirenberg, the San Antonio City Council and a legion of family and friends recognized Bessie on her | 00" birthday. On September 1, 2022, another milestone was celebrated when she turned 101. Bessie’s siblings, Frank Bess, Olivia Bess Sawyer and Birdie Bess Coleman, and her cousin, Carrie Bess Matthews Walker, preceded her in death. Carrie also lived to 100. Bessie departed this life on Sunday, September 25, 2022. She leaves to cherish her memory her cousins, Barbara Godwin, Mary Stiles and Wilma Walker of Santa Maria, CA; Jessie Matthews-Spencer of Pahrump, NV; Edker Matthews of Gig Harbor, WA; Patricia Mathews of Las Vegas, NV; Marcel Giles of Dallas, TX; Precelia Giles Brown of Cuero, TX; her nieces, Vicki Giles Fabré and Micki Giles Flowers of Seattle, WA; Kathlyn Giles Stewart of Minneapolis, MN; her nephew, Corles Giles of Houston, TX and a multitude of other family members and friends. “Blessed Assurance” salvation, story, this my song, Visions of of mercy, Scriptures Psalm 90:1-12 Rey. Nicholas Williams John 11;17-26 Rev. Eunice Williams Prayer Solo Rev. Keith Jackson “Tt is Well With My Soul” Resolutions Mrs. Cristal Smith-Byrd Second Baptist Church, Deacon Alley Jackson Just Praise, Inc. Solo Eulogy “IT Won’t Complain” “A Woman Loved By All” Mrs. Crystal Smith-Byrd Rev. Dr. Robert L. Jemerson, Sr. Pastor “Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.”’ Proverbs 31: 10, 20, 22, 25-26, and 30 Recessional Ms. Lafaye Duren, Musician