Laura Ann Deloatch Bess was born in Conway, North Carolina on January 5, 1935, to Rufus M. and Nina E. Deloatch and departed this life on December 16 , 2021, at 12:05am at Shady Grove Rehabilitation Center in Rockville, Maryland.

In her early life the Deloatch family relocated to Seaboard, North Carolina in Northampton County, where Laura grew up with her two sisters, Shirley Harrison and Glovenia Harper.

Laura met Claude Lee Bess Sr. and were joined in Holy Matrimony in 1959. They established their home in Suffolk Virginia, where they raised six children. The family subsequently moved to the Metropolitan DC area in 1968 where she resided the remainder of her life journey.

Laura was the Matriarch of her family and was lovingly recognized for her great spirituality

and grandmotherly advice which she lovingly delivered to all. She loved cooking and was expert in southern cuisine, especially homemade cakes and desserts. She had a very large extended family as friends of her children also considered her as their 'Momma Bess' and her family was happy to share her love. This was a testament of her Christian Spirit and Devotion to her GOD which was visible to everyone in her orbit.

Initially Laura worked in various food establishments in the DC area and eventually settled on a domestic worker career and helped raise client families with the same devotion and care as her own. She retired nearly 20 years ago and continued to be honored by the families she worked for.

Laura's life spiritual journey started early in North Carolina as she was part of a Devout Christian Family. However, her life's prominent place of worship was St John's Baptist Church in Washington, DC under the pastorships of the late Reverends Charles Jackson Sr and Jr where she happily worshipped and served in the Women's Choir, Usher Board and other auxiliary committees. Laura was a devout and faithful St. John's member until her failing health prevented her regular attendance.

Laura was preceded in death by her parents and devoted husband/primary caretaker Claude Lee Bess, Sr and son Claude Lee Bess, Jr. She is survived by five children, Ernest Tyrone Bess (Caren), Jeffrey Bess (Denise), Angela Marie Macklin (Saul), Kevin Arnold Bess, Sr (Marisa) and youngest son/special caretaker David Carl Bess, sisters Shirley Harrison, and Spiritual Leader/Comforter Reverend Glovenia Harper, sisters-in-laws Mary Artis and Jean Battle, and Special nephew Wayne Hughes (Blanche), twelve Grandchildren, four Great-Grandchildren and host of devoted nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and extended family.

The family also bestows special recognition to the following individuals who were an integral contributor to the spiritual uplifting and happiness in her life.

Catherlene Huff and Georgia Dancy (Lifelong friends and St. John's sisters)

Rosita Lewis (Adopted sister/neighbor and secondary caretaker)

Robert Brown, Jr and Caren Lolita Bess (Adopted spiritual son and daughter)

Reverend Almond Dickens Sr (Adopted Eldest Son, Spiritual Leader and Comforter)