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Bessie Virginia “Mama Sweetie” Newsome, 94, died on July 30, 2020.

She was born in Mocksville on March 24, 1926 to the late George and Mary Ijames Bryant. She graduated from Davie County Training School in 1944. She attended Tennessee State University where she studied sociology and history and earned a bachelor’s degree in history in 1949. She was married to Robert Newsome in 1949 and they had two children, Stedman in 1950 and Odessa in 1952. The family moved to New York around 1955. In 1958 Robert died. She worked for the Sucher family for 18 years before returning to Mocksville. She worked for Drexel Heritage for 18 years and retired. She then worked for Davie County CAP (Community Alternatives Program) as an in-home nurse’s aide for 24 years. She was a member of Mocksville Second Presbyterian Church for many years. In 1982 she began attending Clement Grove Church of God, 7th Day. For more than 20 years she and her cousin, Lucille Ijames, served as missionaries, visiting local and nursing homes in surrounding counties. She lived a life in Christ and knew Him as her personal Lord and Savior. She shared the Gospel with her family and all those she knew.

Survivors: 2 children, Stedman (Lola) Newsome and Odessa Ijames, both of Mocksville; grandchildren, Paul Ijames and Jonathan (Miranda) Ijames, both of Charlotte, Cassandra Black of Raleigh, Stephanie Ijames of Greensboro, Stephan Newsome of New Jersey and Tasha Godfrey of Statesville; great-grandchildren, Rodney Cline, Brandon Ijames, Caleb Ijames, Malik White, Isaiah Ijames, Jacob Ijames, Benjamin Ijames, Jalyn Ijames; and a host of other relatives, church family and friends.

A public viewing was on Wednesday, Aug. 5 at Clement Grove Church of God, 7th Day from noon-2 p.m. and a graveside service immediately following at Palmetto Cemetery on US 601 North, Mocksville.

Memorials: Wellcare Home Health/Hospice Care, 5380 US 158, Suite 210, Advance; or Clement Grove Church of God, 7th Day, 159 Parker Road, Mocksville.