Celebration of Love for 
7Kn&. *l/wicut Sew 
Saturday 
September 12, 2015 
10:00 am 
First Baptist Institutional Church 
344 3rd Avenue South 
St. Petersburg, FL 
Rev. Dr. Wayne G. Thompson, 
Pastor 
Funeral Services Entrusted to 
Lawson Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Inc. 
4535 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg, FL 33713 
727.623.9025/727.623.9027 (FAX) 
Order of Service 
Processional 
"Pass Me Not" 
Mr. Vernard McKenny, Organist 
Hymn of Celebration 
"Blessed Assurance", #25 
Invocation 
Pastor Wayne G. Thompson 
Scripture 
Old Testament/Psalms 91 
Rev. Herman Marshall 
New Testament/lCorinthians 15:50-58 
Rev. Brian K. Brown 
St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church 
Selection 
Choir 
Remembering Mrs.Bess 
Ruby Oliver 
Thelma Bruce 
Resolutions and Acknowledgements 
Hymn 
"The Solid Rock", #226 
Eulogy 
Rev. Alexander Bess, Jr., son of Mrs. Bess 
Selection 
Choir 
Words of Comfort 
Pastor Thompson 
Recessional 
"Oh I Want To See Him" 
Portrait of Life 
Vivian Bess was bom on August 31 in Albany, GA to the union of 
George and Susie Johnson. She was an only child. All immediate family 
members preceded her in death. 
Vivian moved at an early age to St. Petersburg, FL and became a 
member of Mt. Zion AME Church and later joined First Baptist Institutional 
Church. She is a retired house keeper at several hospitals including Mound 
Park, Bayfront, and Humana/St. Petersburg General. 
She is survived by 2 sons; Reverend Alexander Bess Jr.(Margaret, 
wife) of West Palm Beach FL, Charles Bess (Dorcas, wife) ofN. Augusta, 
SC; a daughter, Linda and son-in-law Eugene Lovett; seven grandchildren- 
LeTonya Callum(Cyrus, husband), Charles Bess, Jr (Danielle, wife), 
Christopher Bess(Jamarla, wife), Deondra Riley, Kito Bess(Donnell,wife), 
Kalonji Bess; and great grandchildren, Khana Reiley, Caleb Callum, Cyrus 
Callum Jr., Adelle Bess; a nephew in-law, Booker T. Bess and wife Ethel, 
and a niece, Joni Bess and husband Frank of Gainesville, FL; and a host of 
other devoted relatives and friends. 
There are many things in life 
That we cannot understand, 
But we must trust Gods judgement 
And be guided by His hand, 
And all who have Gods blessing 
Can rest safely in His care 
For He promises safe passage 
On the Wings of Faith and Prayer.  
When Tomorrow Starts Without Me 
When tomorrow starts without me 
And I'm not there to comfort you, 
Please know that I still love you, 
Cause I know you love me too. 
When tomorrow starts without me, 
And you feel lost and blue, 
I hope these words that are written 
Will help to see you through. 
Someday your pain will ease, 
Sadness replaced by fond memories 
Come tomorrow you will hear 
'I love you' whispered on the breeze. 
When tomorrow starts without me 
Because God has called me home, 
I turn, blowing a kiss for thee 
Sad that you may feel alone. 
I will miss you tomorrow 
As I take one last glimpse, 
A tear falls from my cheek 
I have gone home.