Mrs. Bessie Lee Samuel (Williams) daughter of the late Charlie Northington and Dother Mae Brown departed this life on August 9, 2018.  She was born in Sanford, FL on June 2, 1945 .

Bessie received early education in Live Oak, FL.  She received Christ as her savior on August 26, 1962 and was baptized at Springfield Baptist Church Live Oak, FL.  She also attended the First Church of God Live Oak, FL, Tenth St. Church of God St Petersburg, FL and Sandy Grove Missionary Baptist Church Evergreen, AL (Johnsonville Community).

Bessie was united in marriage to the late Clinton Samuel Jr. on April 30, 1988 and resided in Evergreen, AL for 29 years.  She moved back to St Petersburg, FL in 2017 due to her failing health residing with her daughter and at Bon Secours Maria Manor until her death.

Bessie was an expert seamstress working at different locations throughout Florida and Alabama always exceeding production requirements. After Rheumatoid Arthritis creeped in an enabling her to continue sewing in a production setting, she continued her creativity and craftiness at home.  She loved making her own clothes, quilts, purses, any and everything you can think of.  She loved to show and share those creative and crafty designs with her friends and family. She also loved the outside, working in her garden producing some of the most beautiful roses and sunflowers. Her smile was contagious. Family oriented, she loved spending quality time with her children and grandchildren.  During the last few years of her life her hobby became coloring.  She completed several books and enjoyed sharing those beautiful pictures with others.  When she moved to St. Petersburg, her companion became her grand dog Roxi.  Roxi provided her love and comfort during her days of discomfort.

Also preceding her in death her father Charlie Northington, mother Dother Mae Brown, sisters Diane Arthur, Estelle Jordan and Deborah Kelly; brothers Benjamin Williams Jr., Louis Williams.

She is survived by son Michael Philpot; daughters Margaret Ellis (Wendell), Deatsville, AL, Edith Philpot Randle (Gregory) St Petersburg, FL, Valorie Marvin (John) Navarre, FL Penny Curtis (Neal) Atlanta, GA; Step-Daughter Beverly Foster (George) Wichita, TX; sisters Virgie Story (Tim) Orlando, FL, Mahalia Haynes (Dexter) Fort Lauderdale, FL, Christine Northington Lake City, FL; brothers Sylvester Williams Jasper, FL, Alton Williams, Roland Williams, Charles Northington; Sister-in-law Mary Ewing (Willie) Evergreen, AL; Brother-in-law Thomas Samuel (Minnie) Pensacola, FL; (15) fifteen grandchildren, (20) twenty great grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, eight step-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.