Bessie Mae Garrett

Bessie Mae Perry Garrett was born on May 5,1933 to Annie Lee [ Owens] Perry in Coldwater, Mississippi. She departed this life on January 22, 2023, after an extended illness. Her family relocated to Memphis, TN where Bessie grew up with family and friends and graduated from high school. With the booming steel industry, Bessie and family moved to Gary, IN. She met and married Edward Bondon – they produced a son – Darryl. Bessie continued her education-- pursuing Nursing studies at Purdue University -Calumet in East Chicago, IN. She graduated and became a Nurse Practitioner. In 1964, Bessie met and married Levell Garrett. She continued to pursue her nursing career gaining many years of experience. Attended DePaul University in Chicago, IL where she achieved double masters degrees, while working in Gary, IN at St Mary Mercy hospital, public health department and other local facilities. In 1987, Bessie became a traveling nurse, where she worked all over the country with assignments in California, Salt Lake City,UT, Reno,NV and Brownsville, TX . In 1989, she traveled to Hallandale, FL working at Humana Hospitals. Her love for Florida became apparent. She remained in Florida and traveled back and forth to her Gary, IN home. Bessie continued to advance her career, with a full-time position at the Department of Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center in Miami, FL. Where for more than a decade, she worked in many specialties to include psychiatry, ambulatory care, special immunology [AIDS]. She developed a passion providing care for the disadvantaged. Bessie created a community outreach program – providing nursing care to the homeless and disadvantaged in Dade County. She worked closely with the United Way, Camillus House, and other agencies to provide food, shelter and options for battered women and children. She provided in -the -field health care to those in need – including delivering babies. Bessie has been recognized by many organizations for her dedication to serve. Recipient of the American Values Award , She received the Key to the City and October 6,1998 was proclaimed ‘Bessie Garrett Day’ by the mayor of Miami-Dade county. She also created the Bessie Perry Garrett Foundation to help disadvantaged children: the “Smile with a Child” program took these youth to Walt Disney World for a three-day camp, with support of the Green Family foundation. Bessie was nominated as a “She-ro’ for service to women. Received letters of praise for her work by President Bill Clinton, and Governor Lawton Chiles. Bessie was also subject of BBC documentary ‘Medicine at the Crossroads ‘depicting her challenges working with the homeless population. Due to health issues Bessie retired– yet remained close to her passion – providing and helping people in need. She was preceded in death by her son, husband and mother. Bessie leaves to mourn her passing: Laneia Smith- niece & Lauren LaGrone, O.D. Threatt and family [Los Angeles, CA.], The Perry family nieces: Erma, Ethel,Rebecca,Annie,Minnie and Tracy. Nephews: Charles Jr, and Chester, great-nephew, Lawrence Jr., great-great niece: Laureen [Memphis, TN]. Duane M. Williams -nephew [Greenacres, FL]and the Williams-Mitchell family [IN],Nieces and nephews [Milwaukee, WI] The Delvecchio family: Eduardo, Carolina, Doug and Chantell [FL]; Closest friends- [‘sister’] Stephanie Rapp [Miami, FL] , Mary Moxley [Gary, IN], Lydia and Eddie Dames [Miami Gardens, FL], favorite neighbors-- Joe and Gloria[Coconut Creek, FL] And a host of other family and friends.

Bessie Mae Garrett

May 5, 1933 - January 22, 2023