August 4, 1931 - August 9, 2023
Bessie Fontaine, 92, of Statesboro, Georgia, passed away peacefully on August 9, 2023, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on August 4, 1931, in Newark, New Jersey, to the late Clarkson and Bessie Holmes.
Bessie was preceded in death by her loving husband of 70 years, George H. Fontaine Sr. in 2019. She was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother. She was a kind and gentle soul who always put others before herself. She loved spending time with her family and friends, bowling, and playing Scrabble, which she often won.
Ms. Bessie was educated in the Newark, NJ, school system. She was an avid reader and spent much of her time in the public library.
Ms. Bessie worked and retired from Verizon in 1991. She relocated to Florida in the early 1990’s and then to Georgia in 2018. She would enjoy many visits from her family and friends during her years living in Florida and Georgia.
Bessie is survived by her 7 children, George Fontaine (Maggie) of Cocoa, FL, Glenn Fontaine (Joy) of Savannah, GA, Harry Fontaine (Margie), Josephine Hutchins, and James (Sonia) all of Statesboro, GA, Clarkson (Rachel) of Florissant, MO, and Wayne (Connie) of St. Augustine, FL. She is also survived by her sister, Ellen Washington, Belleville, NJ and her beloved Aunt Earlene Jones of Irvington, NJ.
Ms. Bessie was blessed to have twenty grandchildren, eighteen great-grandchildren, six great great-grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.
Most of all Bessie shared a loving life-long friendship with Elizabeth Cothran for more than 80 years.
The Viewing for Ms. Bessie will be 9 AM until 11 AM and the celebration of life service will start immediately at 11:00 AM on Thursday, August 17, 2023, at the chapel of Hill’s Mortuary, Inc. with Pastor Bobby Walthour, Jr. officiating. Burial will be in the Bulloch Memorial Gardens.
The repast will begin immediately after the interment at Uncle Shug’s, located at 434 S. Main St., Statesboro, GA.
Bessie will be deeply missed by all who knew her. She was a loving and caring woman who touched the lives of many. Her memory will live on in our hearts forever.
Final rites have been entrusted to Hill's Mortuary
