AHOSKIE – Vernon Clarence Bess, age 93 of the 500 block of NC Hwy 561 East, Ahoskie, died Friday April 15, 2011 at Roanoke Chowan Hospital.

Mr. Bess was born in Hertford County on August 29, 1917 to the late Benny Bess and Sallie Garris Bess. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Ahoskie and was a member of the Radio Bible Class.  He was a US Army veteran serving in World War II and the Korean War. He worked as a machinist at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard Shop #31.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 19 years, Edith Harrell Hollowell; son, Robert C. “Bobby” Bess and his wife, June, of Gaithersburg, MD; step-son, Benjamin Keith Hollowell of Greenville, NC and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Margaret Nowell Bess; sister, Lessie Sawyer; and brothers, Willie Cecil Bess, Jesse Bess, Lonnie D. Bess, Russell Bess and Ned Earl Bess.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held Monday April 18, 2011 at 4:00 PM in the Ashley Memorial Chapel at Garrett-Jones Funeral Home in Ahoskie. Rev. Daniel Glaze and Rev. Robert May will officiate. Burial will be private in Highland Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to service at Garrett-Jones Funeral Home in Ahoskie.  Memorials may be made to the Radio Bible Class at First Baptist Church of Ahoskie, PO Box 649, Ahoskie,NC 27910.

Family and friends may send online condolences to www.garrettjonesfh.com

Garrett-Jones Funeral Home in Ahoskie is serving the Bess family.