JuBtrsI Strfticts 
FOR THE LATE 
BESSIE MAE MIKELL 
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1981 
1:00 P.M. 
PEACEFUL ZION MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH 
2400 Northwest 68th Street 
Miami, Florida 
REVEREND C. P. PRESTON, Officiating 
POITIER FUNERAL HOME, Directing 
 
In the city of Claxton, Georgia, on October 16,1936, great joy aboun- 
ded in the household of Leroy and Elizabeth Richardson at the birth 
of another baby girl, BESSIE MAE. She was the youngest of seven chil- 
dren bom to this union, six surviving. 
After an early demise of her natural parents, she was lovingly 
taken into the care of an older sister and brother-in-law, Mrs. Willie B. 
and Mr. C3arence Bacon. There she was nurtured to early womanhood. 
Bessie, having been raised within the confines of a Christian 
home accepted Christ at an early age and was a member of Mt. Pleasant 
Baptist Church. 
She received her formal education at Evans County High School 
and is remembered by her classmates as a kind and most considerate 
person. 
Considering herself by now a young lady, on January 15, 1955, 
she was married to Mr. Paul Mikell, whom she loved since childhood 
and from this union, six chUdren were bom. 
She and her family later migrated to Miami, Florida, and she then 
joined Peaceful Zion Missionary Baptist Church. 
Having departed this life on February 7, 1981, she leaves to( 
mourn her passing: a devoted husband, Mr. Paul Mikell; four daughters: 
Sandra, Shiela, Debbie, and Judy Faye Mikell, two sons: Bumice and 
Deale Mikell; five sisters: Mrs. Willie B. Bacon, Mrs. Zeola Brewton and 
Mrs. Elizabeth Jones, all of Claxton, Mrs. Nellie R. Brown of Belleville, 
Georgia, Mrs. Pearlie Mikell of Miami; one brother, Mr. James Richard- 
son of Miami; nine grandchildren; two daughters-in-law: Mrs. Veronica 
Mikell and Mrs. Sandra Mikell; two aunts; two imcles; and a host of 
sorrowing nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. 
frier af j^rriitr 
PROCESSIONAL ............... "Nearer, My God, To Thee" 
HYMN........................... "The Day Is Past And Gone 
INVOCATION ..................... Reverend C. P. Preston 
SCRIPTURE................................121st Psalm 
SOLO ............................................. Sylvester Roundtree 
REMARKS: As A Neighbor ................... Mrs. Lawrence 
As A Friend .................... Estella Johnson 
SPECIAL SELECTION (from cousin and friend) Mrs. Erma D. Sharpe 
RESOLUTION 
OBITUARY .................. (read silently to soft music) 
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .................Poitiers Staff 
SOLO ......................................... Sister Teaster Preston 
EULOGY................................... Reverend C. P. Preston 
VIEWING OF REMAINS 
RECESSIONAL ........................ "Abide With Me 
KELLY B. BRYANT 
WALLACE BREWTON 
JACKIE WILLIAMS 
C. T. BREWTON 
JIMMIE WILLIAMS 
BOBBY WILLIAMS 
V/ILLIE SHARPE 
"I NEEDED THE QUIET" 
I needed the quiet so he drew me aside. 
Into the shadows where we could confide. 
Away from the bustle where all day long 
I hurried and worried when active and strong. 
I needed the quiet tho at first I rebelled 
But gently, so gently, my cross he upheld 
And whispered so sweetly of spiritual things 
Tho weakened in body, my spirit took wings 
To heights never dreamed of when active and gay. 
He loved me so greatly he drew me away. 
I needed the quiet. No prison my bed. 
But a beautiful valley of blessings instead 
A place to grow richer in Jesus to hide. 
I needed the quiet so he drew me aside. 
 Alice Hansche Mortenson 
The Family of the late 
BESSIE MAE MIKELL 
gratefully acknowledges the kind expressions 
of sympathy extended them during their 
bereavement. May Gods choicest 
blessings continue to be bestowed 
upon each and every one. 
INTERMENT: 
LINCOLN MEMORIAL PARK 
Miami, Florida 
A CLARENCE AKINS DESIGN 
ZIP PRESS