Donald Ray Bess

We will certainly miss my brother's presence, in which we loved him dearly. I can remember he bought me my first turn table (record player) and albums (Tammy Terrell and Marvin Gay). Donnie was always family and I use to embarrass my sister eating dinner at their house (but I was invited and I didn't turn down good food). We love you Donnie and we're sure going to miss you. Cedric and Corey we are always here for you. Our prayers and love is with the Bess family!

Maybelle

Uncle Donnie! I have so many memories of your words of encouragement and praise. I remember when I graduated from college at the ripe age of 34, a single mother with 2 small children. You said “you finally did it Katrina”. I added, “yea finally” (in my sarcastic undertone, lol). You followed by saying the most encouraging words that I have ever heard, simply put…”BUT YOU DID IT!!! Nothing else matters, not how you did it, how long it took you to do it, not even how much money you owe after you’ve done it (lol)…YOU DID IT KATRINA. Most single mothers wouldn’t even try and I am so proud of you!”. I don’t ever think I told you how much those words encouraged me to go back and get my Masters degree, but they did and I will!
The most remarkable memory I have of you is how you were so thoughtful to visit my mother in the nursing home and not just once, but often! It would ease my heart and mind to walk in the room after a long day of work and see you sitting there laughing with her and keeping her spirits up. You were an amazing man and I will never forget you.
To my cousins Cedric and Corey, I know that you know that we all will always be here for you to laugh, reminisce and cry with. I thank GOD that HE has allowed us to spend as much time as we have with your wonderful dad! I have faith that Uncle Donnie is in a better place and I pray that we will all be reunited one day! Luvya!

~Katrina

that we happylyThere are so many words that I could say in tribute to this man that I have known all of my like. The one thing that stands out is when I,myself was very gravely ill beginning in October of 2011. I stayed in the Hospital for nearly (3) monthes. Many of those days I would wake up to find Donald sitting at the edge of my bed, waiting to offer cheer. To all of us I will say "WE ASKED GOD FOR A FLOWER, HE GAVE US A GARDEN", WE ASKED HIM A TREE, HE GAVE US A FOREST",WE ASKED GOD FOR A RIVER, HE GAVE US AN OCEAN AND WE ASKED GOD FOR A FRIEND, HE GAVE US YOU DONALD. You will be soley missed by many. May all of your family feel the support that I give.

Semper Fidelis Donald. We had some hard and frustrating times at work, but managed to laugh and joke about it through it all. I'll never forget the finger we ordered or the fax we sent back when the engineers had up installing a new ladder. Or the laughs when I told you I was designing my house on the computer, but the roof is about two feet above everything and I can't get it down. You asked for months if I ever got the roof lowered....and I never did.
But rest in peace Marine....and keep those streets and gates guarded, true to our hymn.

Howard "Ray" Brooks
MSgt USMC (Ret)