Bessie Merrimon

MERRIMON, Mrs. Bessie Jane (Bassett) - Age 83, passed away Wednesday, March 29, 2006 at Avalon Hospice. Family hour 10AM Tuesday, April 4, 2006 at Metropolitan Baptist Tabernacle, 930 E. Myrtle Ave., with funeral service commencing at 11AM. Dr. A.J. Pointer officiating. Interment Forest Lawn Cemetery, Saginaw, MI. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10AM Tuesday. Mrs. Merrimon will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 12Noon-8PM Monday. Mrs. Bessie Jane (Bassett) Merrimon was born April 18, 1922 in Saginaw, Michigan, the daughter of Arthur Bassett and Anna (Anderson) Bassett. Mrs. Merrimon attended and graduated from Saginaw High School. She was the first African American to be hired at the Saginaw Unemployment office. She also worked for YWCA in Saginaw. In 1943, she moved to Flint and was hired at A.C. Spark Plug where she worked and retired after 28.5 years of service. Bessie married Winston Merrimon in 1954. Mrs. Merrimon was a charter member of Phebian Missionary Circle; she served as President and Vice President; served on Commission at Noon Day Prayer Service; served on Church Kitchen Committee as a dishwasher and on the Usher Board. She was a member of Church Women's United. Mrs. Merrimon received an award as a Valiant Lady in 1988. She was a Special Deputy Sheriff Card and Flower Chairperson and a former member of the Flint Conservation Club as Club Recorder. Mrs. Merrimon had been an Eastern Star for fifty-five years; she was a member of Cape Jasmine #2 O.E.S. where she served as Worthy Matron and Secretary; a member of the Past Matron and Patrons Council, where she served as Worthy Matron and Treasurer; she was a member of Willie Meeks Court #5 order of Amaranth; she served as Most Ancient Matron in Beauty Court #5 Herions Jericho; Chief Counselor of Holy Cross Council #4 Lady of Knights; Most Worthy Grand Matron of Mecca Court #5 Daughter of Sphhinx; she served as Supreme Royal Queen in Sheba Palace Royal Lady the highest office in the jurisdiction of North and South America. Mrs. Merrimon leaves to mourn: 2 sisters, Marjorie Whitson of Flint, Barbara Abrams of Lansing, MI; goddaughter, Vanessa (Gus) Jordan of Hendersonville, TN; nieces and nephews, Joseph (Annie) Austin of Vesterburg, MI, Elitha Ann Seals of Ypsilanti, Owen (Arletha) Seals, Jr. of Clinton, MD, Coreanna Campbell of Ypsilanti, Dr. Rev. Eugene (Joyce) Seals, both of Saginaw, Richard (Patricia) Seals of Saginaw, Robert (Vickie) Mitchell of Kennewick, WA; special adopted nephew, Bobby R. Mercer. Mrs. Merrimon was preceded in death by her husband, Winston Merrimon; parents, Arthur Bassett, Anna Dickerson; and sister, Annabelle Seals. The family would like to express special thanks to her many, many friends she loved you all and thank you for all the kindness you showed her. The family would like to thank her Home Caregivers and Avalon Hospice Care Center staff for the tender loving care you gave our Sister. She loved you all.

Bessie Merrimon

April 18, 1922 - March 29, 2006