James Bessinger Obituary

James Bessinger GEORGETOWN, SC - James C. "Bee" Bessinger passed peacefully in the company of family members on Tuesday, August 28, 2012. James was born on June 14, 1916 in Denmark, a son of Charles Leroy and Inez Hightower Bessinger. He was a member of the First Baptist Church. He graduated from Denmark-Olar High School prior to being employed as a Deputy Sheriff and a Federal Game Warden by Arcadia Plantation. His name is one of the twelve inscribed on a "Roll of Honor" plaque in St. Anne's Baptist Church on Arcadia Plantation, to honor his World War II service. James was very proud of his World War II service as a Staff Sgt. U.S. Army Ranger. He fought with the 230th Field Artillery, 2nd Battalion, 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division attached to the 29th Infantry Division which participated in D-Day on Omaha Beach in Operation Overlord, Liberation of Saint-L, the Battles of Normandy, Cherbourg, Mortain, and Ardennes-Alsace Offensive (or The Battle of the Bulge), earning the Bronze Star Campaign Ribbon. James "Bee" retired from the International Paper Company - Power House Division after a 26 year career. Being an avid naturalist and sportsman, he pursued his passion for hunting, fishing, master gardening and cooking old family recipes. He delighted in telling of his earlier life experiences with the many notables of Arcadia, Bellefield and Greenfield Plantations. James was a loving and supportive husband, father, brother and friend who will be deeply missed by his family and friends. He was preceded in death by: Zola, his wife of 59 years; a brother, William Leroy Bessinger; and three sisters, Thelma Harrison (Jeff), Mamie Bass (J.B.), and Mildred Hijak (Edward). Those left to cherish his special and precious memories are: his sisters, Ruth Boatwright (Owen) of Hemingway, Demaris Bessinger of Demark, Betty Ann Bourne (Bernard) of Columbia; a sister-in-law, Violet Jones (Herbert) of Arcadia, Wisconsin; his children, Gloria Prosser (Norman), Linda Bessinger, James L. Bessinger (Carol), and Charles Douglas Bessinger (Christina); and several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews. The relatives and friends of James "Bee" are invited to attend his Celebration of Life Memorial Service to be held at two o'clock on Friday afternoon, August 31, 2012, at the Georgetown Chapel of Mayer Funeral Home. Burial with military honors will follow at Pennyroyal Memorial Gardens. Sign a guestbook at: www.mayerfuneralhome.com. Flowers will be accepted, or memorial donations can be made to: Tidelands Community Hospice, Inc., 2591 N. Fraser St., Georgetown, S.C. 29440 or to First Baptist Church, 219 Cleland St., Georgetown, S.C. 29440. Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston