Mary Best Obituary Bessie Francis Best January 6, 1935 - January 13, 2021 Suffolk - Bessie Francis Best, 86, passed away January 13, 2021. Bessie was born January 6, 1935 in Southampton County to the late Raleigh Milton Francis and Annie Spence Francis. She was also predeceased by the love of her life, Clayton Louis Best; five sisters, Bertha Johnson, Ruth Carter, Louise Bryant, Irma Heath, Rosa Lee Grant; four brothers, Gilbert, Milton, James and Bobby Francis; and two grandchildren, Clayton Louis "Trey" Best, III, and Nicholas Dain "Nic Nic" Robertson. Bessie grew up in Vincent s Grove United Methodist Church and was a member of Franklin Baptist Church. She enjoyed sewing and was very involved in church activities. Left to cherish her memory is two daughters, Rhonda DeEtte Best and Lori Best Boykin (Ray), both of Bailey, NC; two sons, Clayton Louis Best, II (Jane) of Franklin and Curtis Francis Best (Kathy) of Courtland; four grandchildren, Clayton Hamm, Jenna Best Ellis (Madison), Allie Leeman (Patrick) and Geoffrey Harbick; four great grandchildren, Michael Harbick, Grayson and Easton Leeman, and Clayton Cobb Ellis; and a special nephew, Donald Johnson. A Funeral Service will be held at 2PM Sunday, January 17, 2021, in Wright Funeral Home with the Rev. Steve Gibson officiating. Burial will follow in Southampton Memorial Park. The family suggests that memorial donations be made to Franklin Cooperative Ministries. To view the live stream, click the link below. Note you do not need to be a Facebook member to watch the live stream (https://m.facebook.com/Wright-Funeral-Home-114251662075086/) www.wrightuneralhome.org Published by Wright Funeral Home and Crematory - Franklin on Dec. 19, 2019. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- See also: 1) https://www.wrightfuneralhome.org/obituary/bessie-best 2) https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/mary-best-obituary?pid194760585 3) https://www.pilotonline.com/obituaries/bessie-francis-best-norfolk-va/ 4) https://www.pilotonline.com/obituaries/clayton-louis-best-suffolk-va/ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ## Narrative Summary of the Obituary Bessie Francis Best, born on 6 January 1935, passed away on 13 January 2021 at the age of 86. She was predeceased by her husband and several siblings. Bessie is remembered by her four children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. ## Narrative Summary of Funeral Services A funeral service for Bessie Francis Best was held on 17 January 2021. She was buried in Southampton Memorial Park. ## The Edited Obituary **Bessie Francis Best** January 6, 1935 - January 13, 2021 Suffolk - Bessie Francis Best, 86, passed away January 13, 2021. Bessie was born January 6, 1935, in Southampton County to the late Raleigh Milton Francis and Annie Spence Francis. She was also predeceased by the love of her life, Clayton Louis Best; five sisters, Bertha Johnson, Ruth Carter, Louise Bryant, Irma Heath, and Rosa Lee Grant; four brothers, Gilbert, Milton, James, and Bobby Francis; and two grandchildren, Clayton Louis "Trey" Best III and Nicholas Dain "Nic Nic" Robertson. Bessie grew up in Vincent's Grove United Methodist Church and was a member of Franklin Baptist Church. She enjoyed sewing and was very involved in church activities. Left to cherish her memory are two daughters, Rhonda DeEtte Best and Lori Best Boykin (Ray), both of Bailey, NC; two sons, Clayton Louis Best II (Jane) of Franklin and Curtis Francis Best (Kathy) of Courtland; four grandchildren, Clayton Hamm, Jenna Best Ellis (Madison), Allie Leeman (Patrick), and Geoffrey Harbick; four great-grandchildren, Michael Harbick, Grayson and Easton Leeman, and Clayton Cobb Ellis; and a special nephew, Donald Johnson. A funeral service will be held at 2 PM Sunday, January 17, 2021, in Wright Funeral Home with the Rev. Steve Gibson officiating. Burial will follow in Southampton Memorial Park. The family suggests that memorial donations be made to Franklin Cooperative Ministries. To view the live stream, click the link below. Note you do not need to be a Facebook member to watch the live stream: [Wright Funeral Home Live Stream](https://m.facebook.com/Wright-Funeral-Home-114251662075086/) [www.wrightuneralhome.org](http://www.wrightuneralhome.org) Published by Wright Funeral Home and Crematory , Franklin on December 19, 2019. ## Vital Statistics Summary | Name | Bessie Francis Best | |---------|------------------------------------| | Age | 86 years | | Birth | 6 January 1935; Southampton County | | Death | 13 January 2021; Suffolk | ## Table of Relationships | Name | Relationship | Residence | |---------------------------------|------------------------|--------------------------------| | Bessie Francis Best | Decedent | Suffolk, VA | | Clayton Louis Best | Spouse | -- | | Raleigh Milton Francis | Parent | -- | | Annie Spence Francis | Parent | -- | | Rhonda DeEtte Best | Child | Bailey, NC | | Lori Best Boykin (Ray) | Child | Bailey, NC | | Clayton Louis Best II (Jane) | Child | Franklin, VA | | Curtis Francis Best (Kathy) | Child | Courtland, VA | | Clayton Hamm | Grandchild | -- | | Jenna Best Ellis (Madison) | Grandchild | -- | | Allie Leeman (Patrick) | Grandchild | -- | | Geoffrey Harbick | Grandchild | -- | | Michael Harbick | Great-grandchild | -- | | Grayson Leeman | Great-grandchild | -- | | Easton Leeman | Great-grandchild | -- | | Clayton Cobb Ellis | Great-grandchild | -- | | Donald Johnson | Nephew | -- | | Bertha Johnson | Predeceased Sibling | -- | | Ruth Carter | Predeceased Sibling | -- | | Louise Bryant | Predeceased Sibling | -- | | Irma Heath | Predeceased Sibling | -- | | Rosa Lee Grant | Predeceased Sibling | -- | | Gilbert Francis | Predeceased Sibling | -- | | Milton Francis | Predeceased Sibling | -- | | James Francis | Predeceased Sibling | -- | | Bobby Francis | Predeceased Sibling | -- | | Clayton Louis Trey Best III | Predeceased Grandchild | -- | | Nicholas Dain Nic Nic Robertson | Predeceased Grandchild | -- | ## Other Relevant Information 1. Bessie Francis Best was born on 6 January 1935 in Southampton County. 2. She was a lifelong member of Vincent's Grove United Methodist Church and later became a member of Franklin Baptist Church. 3. Bessie enjoyed sewing and was actively involved in church activities.