Bessie Mae Durham

Bessie Mae Durham, affectionately known as “Blacky”, was born March 9, 1959, in Columbia, South Carolina.  She was the beloved daughter of the late Charlie Lee and Elizabeth Hatten Jeter. She peacefully departed this life on Thursday, September 15, 2022, in Columbia, South Carolina.

Bessie grew up in a Christian home and was educated in the public schools of Richland County.  She started working at a very young age and always had a strong work ethic. She made a career in Environmental Services and dedicated more than 47 years of service.

Bessie loved fishing, a passion she shared with her husband. She was also an excellent cook and she loved cooking for her family and friends.  She also loved music and laughing with family and friends. To know Bessie was to have laughed with or to have shared a kind word, whether you were a close friend, or a stranger.  She was selfless and generous; two attributes that highlighted her personality.   She richly touched the lives of so many people who will forever be blessed by the LOVE she shared.

Bessie was also preceded in death by her brothers, Charles and Charlie Jeter; and her sister, Loretta Ann McCoy.

Bessie leaves to cherish her fond and precious memories her loving husband, Franklin Durham; loving and caring children, Colie Jeter, Jevon Geter, Sheneki (Christopher) Jamison, Nadreka (Lamar) Jenkins, Elizabeth (Andre) Gregory, Sylvia (Marcus) Smith, Nakisha Jeter and Franklin T. Durham, all of Columbia, South Carolina; caring and loving brothers, Bobby Geter of Columbia, South Carolina; and Anthony (Michelle) Geter of Camden, South Carolina; loving sisters, Denise Roberts of Columbia, South Carolina; and Queenie (Robert) Harris of Winnsboro, South Carolina; her loving grandchildren, whom she adored; a host of nephews, nieces and other loving relatives and dear friends, all of whom will miss her dearly.

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