Bessie Lucille Fennell

Bessie Lucille Murrell (Fonville, Fennell) was born May 01, 1933 in Dover, North Carolina to Leamon Taft Murrell and Maggie Doris-Doyal Murrell. She transitioned peacefully home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, August 5, 2020. Bessie was a faithful and active member of the St. John AME Turk Quarter Church in New Bern, North Carolina. Twenty-three years ago, she became a Deaconess of her church and was lovingly known as the mother of the church. At the age of seven, she was the first African American female to sing gospel on the radio. At the age of 22, she came to New York to be the back-up lead singer for Aretha Franklin. Unfortunately, she faced stage fright and returned back to North Carolina and continued to pursue her singing in her church choir. At the age of 23 she decided to leave her native land of North Carolina and moved to the city of Passaic, New Jersey, where she was employed by Beth Isreal Hospital as an LPN for 30 years. Bessie was educated in the public school system of Dover, North Carolina. She went on to study nursing where she received her LPN Degree from William Paterson University. Shortly after retiring, she decided to pursue her true passion and enrolled in The Wolford Academy, in Newark, New Jersey and received her Cosmetology License in 1983. She worked as a hair stylist for many years at The Madonna Multinational Funeral Home and her own practice. For the past 20 plus years, Bessie had relocated back to New Bern, North Carolina. She worked as a Senior Companion, The Hospice Group and Advocate for the elderly. Bessie loved making people smile and caring for others. She helped coordinate a Bible Study Group for the elderly people. She was preceded in death by her mother, Maggie Doris Doyal-Murrell: her father, Leamon Taft Murrell; daughter, Maggie L. Mann-Montalvo; son, Leamon Lee Fennell; brother, Chester Murrell (Sarah); husband, Lee Pondia London Fennell, Jr.; husband, Johnnie Alton Fonville; aunt, Norma Ruth Murrell-Gaskins; sisters-in-law, Sarah Hunt, of Hinesville, G.A., Velma Enoch and Esther Fisher, of Washington, D.C.; brothers-in-law, Bryant Enoch, of Passaic, N.J., John Terry Fennell, of Hinesville, G.A.. She leaves to cherish her memory, one daughter, Minnie Esther Hiller-Cousins (Wilmont) of Passaic, N.J.; special niece, Angela Fennell of Passaic, N.J.; sisters-in-law, ElMarie Watts of Passaic, N.J.; Jean Clark (Thomas) of Willingboro, N.J.; Ruby Hawkins (Clarence) and Shirley Enoch, of Washington, D.C.; brothers-in-law, Raymond Enoch, of Washington, D.C.; John Enoch (Betty), of Clinton, M.D.; Harry Fennell, Sr. of Columbus, G.A., and Willard Fennell, of Hinesville, G.A.; three grandsons, Shondell Mann and Maurice T. Hiller, Sr. of New Bern, N.C. and Eric Montalvo (Monique) of San Diego, C.A.; three grand daughters, Sherese L. Hiller-Alston (John MaJeed, Sr.), Torise L. Hiller, of Passaic, N.J.; and Victoria C. Montalvo-Turley (Christopher) of San Diego, C.A.; seven great-grand children, Leamon, Maurice T. Hiller, Jr.; Assata M. Murray (Lamar), John Jr., and Jordan Alston of Passaic, N.J.; Rowan, Gavin Turley of San Diego, C.A.; special friends, Gwendolyn Bolton and Elmer Simmons, Jr., special caregiver, Gerald McBeth and a host of nieces, nephews, family members and other devoted friends.

Bessie Lucille Fennell

May 1, 1933 - August 5, 2020