Bessie Roland Edwards

October 1, 1930 - December 30, 2017

Willie Bessie Roland Edwards was born on October 01, 1930 in Lytton Springs, Texas, to Mr. Violin Roland and Mrs. Lillie Roland. Bessie worked in the healthcare industry for many years providing nursing services until her retirement. In her spare time, Bessie always found time to cook delicious meals and amazing desserts; including her famous Peach Cobbler. Over the holidays Bessie was known to make many, many pies and cakes. Bessie confessed Jesus Christ and was baptized at an early age. She joined New Hope Missionary Baptist church under the leadership of the late Pastor O.T. Arnold and remained under the leadership of Pastor Roy F. Jones, Jr. She was dedicated and committed to her Church and was a member of New Hope Missionary Church for over 55 years. Bessie served as the President of the Pastor’s Aide Ministry for many years (serving both Pastor O.T. Arnold and Pastor Roy Jones Jr); as an Usher for many years and as the President of the Usher Board for over 25 years. Bessie even started The Last Seven Sayings over 40 years ago, where every Good Friday a service was held and seven ministers would preach the word of Christ. The Last Seven Sayings will continue in honor of Her. And in addition to her many roles in the house of the Lord, Bessie would cook often for various programs, offering home-cooked meals to anyone in need of a good meal. Bessie would always make her famous rolls and there would be plenty enough to eat on in the days to come. She served faithfully and dutifully to the Church until health challenges forbid her to do so. On Saturday, December 30, 2017, God called Bessie home. Her parents, four brothers, Charles Washington, Sonny Roland, Saul Roland, and Jimmy Roland, and her sisters, Jeraldine McBryde and Margaret Ann Roland all preceded her in death. She leaves behind to cherish precious memories, her sons Charles Leon Jackson of Ft. Worth, TX, Harry Lee Strickland, Jr. (Renee) of Elgin, TX, Larry Wayne Strickland (Mae) of Temple, TX, Michael Roy Lofton (Elaine) of Austin, TX and Kenneth Anthony Edwards of Austin, TX; daughter Marilyn Walker (Edgar) of Austin, TX; sisters Choice Mitchell and Ruby Pollard; fourteen grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, and friends.