Dr. Bessie Leola Rivers Grayson began her life's journey in Thomaston, Alabama on May 25, 1925 as the second born of two daughters to the late Theodore Rivers and Eular Conner Rivers. She was reared by her loving grandparents, Henry and Callie Conner.
During her early years, she accepted Christ as her personal savior and joined St. James Missionary Baptist Church under the pasturage of Rev. E. Hunter. Later in life she joined Dexter Avenue Baptist Church (Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church) in Montgomery, Alabama. After relocating to Huntsville, Alabama, she joined The First Missionary Baptist Church, where she was a dedicated and faithful servant until her health failed her.
A woman who loved God, her family, brothers and sisters in Christ was called from this earthly home on Sunday, November 19, 2006 at 8:00 p.m. at St. John Hospital in Detroit, Michigan in the comfort of her nieces, great nephew and great niece. She was a graduate of Marengo County Training School (Amelia Love Johnson High School) class of 1943 and attended Alabama College for Negroes (Alabama State University), BS 1950; Master in Education 1954; Masters of Library Science 1965, from Atlanta University (Clark-Atlanta University); Doctor of Philosophy 1983, from George Peabody College for Teachers (Vanderbilt University at Nashville, Tennessee.
Career: Marengo, Hale and Montgomery School System; Philander Smith College Associate Librarian; Assistant Professor of Library Science; Alabama State University Assistant Cataloger, Assistant Professor of Library Science 1966-69; Alabama A & M University, Assistant Professor of Library Media 1969; Professor of Northeast College.
Civic: A member of the American Association of University Professors; American Association of University Women; Alabama Librarians Association; Alabama Instructional Media Association, Board of Directors; American Library Association; Huntsville Christian Women's Club; Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.; Phi Delta Kappa; Alabama Council of Human Rights; National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
Honors: Contributor to Book, "What Black Librarians Are Saying” (1972); Articles, Selected by Biography of Books by and About Negroes (1968); Selected Biography of Materials for Teaching Negro History (1969); National Library Week as Focus on Education (1969); In Program, A Proposal for Organizing Curriculum for Collections and/or Teaching Materials Centers.
Throughout her life Bessie was loved, respected, and a compassionate aunt. To her family, she gave support and nurtured them with abundant love. To her friends, she gave much understanding, love and devotion.
Bessie was joined in holy matrimony to the late Mr. L. J. Grayson, who preceded her in death. To this union one son was born, who also preceded her in death. Bessie was preceded in death by her beloved and only sister, Mrs. Eular Rivers Glover (Sissy) (August 21, 2006); a brother-in-law, Mr. Wade Alfonso Glover (August 7, 1976); two nephews, Mr. Donald Dubose (August 13, 1994) and Mr. Theodore Glover (May 4, 2006).
Those who remained to cherish her memory and to be inspired by a legacy of love, two loving and caring nieces: Ms. Janice Lanette Glover and Ms. May Yvonne Booth of Detroit, Michigan; a loving nephew: Mr. Jerome L. Glover of Brooklyn, New York; twelve great nieces and nephews: Treymayne and Donald Dubose of Cleveland, Ohio, T.C. Summerville of Thomaston, Alabama, Khalfani Booth of Lafayette, Louisiana, Kefentse and Jayson Booth of Detroit, Michigan, Nina and Chris Glover of Uniontown, Alabama, DeMarcus Barber of Thomaston, Alabama, Warren, Roy and Chelsia Davis of Mobile, Alabama; one great-great nephew: Tabiyas C. Summerville of Birmingham, Alabama; three loving and kind great nieces: Jennifer Stokes, Iman Garfield and Angelina Gordon; one devoted and loving friend: Dr. Charles Smoot; a loving and kind godson, Mr. William Gary, Jr., of Columbia, South Carolina; cousins and a host of loving friends.
Family Hour
Friday, November 24, 2006 at 6:00 p.m.
First Missionary Baptist Church
2509 Blue Spring Road NW
Huntsville, Alabama 35810
Reverend Dr. Julius Scruggs, Pastor
Graveside Burial
Glover’s Primitive Baptist
Church Cemetery
Highway 28 North
Thomaston, Alabama 36783
Reverend James Clarke, Officiating