Wyn Bessent Obituary

Wyn Nicole Bessent NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, SC - Wyn Nicole Bessent, 53, died after a short illness at her home in the Tilghman Beach section of North Myrtle Beach. She was born on October 28, 1968, at Conway Hospital in Conway, SC. Wyn was the youngest child of Homer Gaston Bessent, Jr. and Barbara McLeod Bessent, both deceased. She attended school in North Myrtle Beach, the Governor's School of South Carolina and Salem Academy in Winston-Salem, NC. She is survived by her brother, Scott K.H. Bessent (John Freeman) of Charleston, SC; and her nephew, Cole; and niece, Caroline-both of whom she adored. Wyn was very close to her sister, Paige McLeod Bessent of Atlanta and more recently Myrtle Beach. They shared a life-long bond of mutual support and deep sibling friendship. She was unmarried at the time of her death, having previously been married twice. Wyn was a first-class student, graduating from North Myrtle Beach High School as salutatorian. From there she attended Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, where she received a B.A. in Psychology with distinction in the major. Wyn received her law degree from the University of South Carolina where she finished second in her class and was awarded The Order of the Coif. She and her brother donated the H. Gaston Bessent, Jr. Library at Yale University in their father's honor. Wyn and her family also gave and dedicated the Kenneth V. McLeod Rehabilitation Facility at The Shriner's Children's Hospital in Greenville, SC, in memory of her maternal grandfather. Public service always seemed to be Wyn's preferred career. Before returning to law school, she worked in the North Florida Family Services Division in Panama City. While there, she was charged with compelling delinquent fathers to make court-ordered alimony and child support payments. Her favorite tactic to pressure those neglecting remittances was to seize their boats during fishing season. She began her legal career at The Bellamy Law Firm in Myrtle Beach. After a few other assignments, she found her calling at the Georgetown Public Defenders Office. Working in one of South Carolina's most underserved communities, Wyn believed that everyone had the right to a fair trial and representation to preserve this fundamental right. Despite her diminutive size, she was a fierce advocate in the court room for her public clients. Wyn was proud of her family's deep South Carolina roots. She loved to discuss genealogy but was also dedicated to helping create a better tomorrow for those in the Palmetto State. She was a descendant of John Bessent who arrived at Charles Towne Landing in 1672. His grandson, also John Bessent, fought with Francis Marion in the South Carolina militia and was one of the earliest English settlers of Horry County. She also counted several Huguenot families as ancestors, including Peter Horry and Jeremie Vereen. Wyn had a deep love for animals and animal rights. At the time of her passing, she only owned four cats. A needlepoint cushion in her house reads "Heaven is where you go to see all the cats you've ever loved." Paige and Scott would like to thank Rena Thompson, Dana Owens Taylor and Michelle Ferguson for their dedication and friendship to Wyn. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to The Humane Society of North Myrtle Beach. There will be a private memorial service at Southern Palms Memorial Gardens in Windy Hill Beach. Lee Funeral Home of Little River, SC, will handle the final arrangements. Visit our guestbook at legacy.com/obituaries/charleston