Valerie Bessick Anderson

Valerie Bessick Anderson of Chestertown, MD, passed away on Friday, October 26, 2018, at the University of Maryland Hospital in Baltimore at the age of 70. Born on March 19, 1948, in Chestertown, MD, she was the daughter of the late Harrison Bessick and Helen Hamilton. She graduated from Garnett High School in 1966 and later attended Maryland State College in Princess Anne, majoring in art, with a dream to be a fashion designer. Mrs. Anderson taught in the Kent County Public Schools system as an Instructional Assistant for 33 years, retiring in 2010. She touched many lives working at Millington Elementary School, Chestertown Middle School, and Worton Elementary School. She attended Bethel AME Church from an early age and served in several capacities, Junior and Senior Choirs, Bethel-Lites, Bethel Mass Choir, Sunday school teacher, usher, Church Treasurer and Steward Board. Mrs. Anderson founded the liturgical dance ministry, the Bethel Angels. She sang with the Souls of Faith, The New Inspirations, and the 100 Voice Choir of Kent County. She was a proud member of Maryland Support Staff Teachers Union and was recognized as one of Maryland’s most influential teachers. She was a dedicated member of Work in Progress Ministries in Millington. Elder Anderson was the mother of the church where she served as Sunday School Superintendent, choir member, and leader of the Ministering Angels liturgical dance ministry. Her interests included drawing, painting, singing, and dancing. She loved all kinds of music, especially Gospel. Elder Anderson’s favorite scriptures were Ephesians 6: 1-20, Psalm 139, and Psalm 24. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Jay Christopher Anderson; a brother, Melvin J. Hamilton; and two sisters, Patricia L. Jones and Rosalind Hynson. She is survived by a daughter, Jana Carter of Kennedyville; a granddaughter, Jiordan Carter of Kennedyville; an aunt, Lauretta Dotson of Baltimore; a sister-in-law, Shirley Hamilton of Chestertown; three nieces, Lauramae, Tracey, and Kimberly; and two nephews, Arthur and Harold, Jr. A visitation will be held on Saturday, November 3, 2018, from 10 – 11 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 105 Mill Street, Chestertown, where services will begin at 11 a.m. Everyone is invited to join with the family after the service downstairs for a time of food and fellowship. Interment will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be sent to the Kidney Foundation, 1107 Kenilworth Drive, Suite 202, Baltimore, MD 21204.

Valerie Bessick Anderson

March 19, 1948 - October 26, 2018