Bessie Malone
Augusta, GA- Claudia Bessie Merriwether Malone died on Monday, July 9, 2012, at Kentwood Nursing Facility surrounded by her family. She was born on February 15, 1920, in Robinsonville, Alabama, and was the tenth of eleven children born to Jacob and Claudia Robinson Merriwether. She grew up in Atmore, AL. She was a graduate of the University of Alabama with a bachelor’s degree in home economics. On June 6, 1942, she married Harold Lee Malone.
Bessie spent most of her life as a mother, homemaker, and wife of a Baptist minister and missionary. She and Harold served churches in Alabama, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Iowa. She worked as a case worker for the juvenile court of Chattanooga, TN. Having studied social work at LSU and Tulane University, she was able to continue her social work ministry when Dr. Malone was called to a church in Iowa.
In 1980 she and Harold were called to serve as missionaries in Southeast Asia where they ministered for twenty years in thirteen countries, primarily in the Philippines and Singapore. At the Philippine Baptist Seminary in Baguio City, Bessie taught home economics and used her social work skills to minister to students’ families. They also served at the International Baptist Church in Stuttgart, Germany.
Mrs. Malone was a member of First Baptist Church of Augusta, GA, and was a member of the Balentine Sunday School Class, the Lucy Wright Parker Mission Group, and the First Family Singers. The Balentine Class will serve as honorary pall bearers.
She was preceded in death by her parents, nine of her siblings, and her husband, Harold. She is survived by her two sons, Dr. H. Lee Malone, Jr. (Mary Beth) Johnson City, TN and Dr. Jacob Oliver Malone (Delores) Augusta; grandchildren, Harold Malone III (Dr. Adriana) New York, NY, Wilson Malone (Wendy) Midlothian, VA, and Dr. Elizabeth Malone Chosa (Pete) Rockledge, FL; and five great grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, July 14, 2012, at 2:00 P.M. in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church of Augusta with Drs. Grover Tyner, Greg DeLoach, and Rodger Murchison officiating. Memorial donations may be made to the Dorothy Moore Mission Fund or the Building Fund of First Baptist Church, 3500 Walton Way Ext., 30909. The family will receive friends Friday, July 13, from 6:00 - 8:00 P.M. in the First Baptist Welcome Center.
Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at
www.thomaspoteet.com