Bessie Mae "Zola" Abou-el-Asaad

Augusta, GA – On Sunday, July 9, 2023, Bessie Mae “Zola” Abou El Assad, 74, made heaven her home.

Bessie was predeceased by her parents: Oscar and Lizzie Mae Lester; twin sister: Lizzie Hunt and brother: Kenneth Lester.

She will be lovingly remembered by her children, Richard Perry III (Carrie) and Kevin Carl Perry (Karen); special niece/daughter: Jeanette Perry (Lee); and special nephew: Marlon Rudrow (Michelle).

She was a proud grandmother to four grandchildren: Richard Perry IV; Victoria Frances Jones (Isaiah); Chelsey Marie Perry; Kevin Carl Perry Jr (Delaney); and her two great-grandchildren: Jaliyah Benford and Layla Hope Jones.

Bessie is also survived by her brother, Carl Lester (Barbara); and sisters: Mary-Ann Lester, Evelyn Lester and Katie Lester; and a host of nieces and nephews.

She will be missed by her lifelong best friend, Lizzie Mae Jenkins.

Bessie was born in Neptune, New Jersey and lived most of her life in Somerville, New Jersey, where she became well known as the “neighborhood mom”. She had a lifelong career and held various administration and warehouse positions at Government Services Agency. She retired and moved to Georgia to be closer to her children. She enjoyed spending her leisure time watching Western movies, soap operas and spending quality time with her friends and family.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, July 15, 2023 at 2:00 P.M. at chapel of Thomas Poteet with Pastor Rosalyn V. Jones officiating.

The family will receive friends Saturday from 1:00 PM until the time of the service at Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com