A Tribute to Bessie Pearl Reaves
Our Beloved Matriarch
The Matriarch of the Dyess family. Her heartfelt desire was to keep the family together. If you were a member of the Dyess/Daniel/Moore/Hughes family, her mission was to see you at least every two years at a family reunion. She helped plan and organize reunions regardless of where it was held. She knew food was the center point of bringing people together. She cooked every day, but Sunday was her special day. Her family remembers her always having a full spread including mac n cheese, black eyed peas, candied yams, corn bread, her famous biscuits, and various deserts. She would always have a pound cake, Jewish Apple cake, or peach cobbler. Everything made with love from scratch without a cookbook. She loved to cook and serve. She took meals to families in her community when she saw the need. For many years, she was the head of the kitchen for FBC. People came to service and looked forward to eating her meals. Her meals would include vegetables from her garden. She and Ben grew a variety of vegetables, including peanuts, pumpkins, peach trees, apple trees and grape vines. She loved to preserve and made the best homemade jellies and jams. All with the mindset of sharing with others. She loved helping people and her community. She had the gift of hospitality and a compassionate caregiver who cared for her father and husband Ben at home during the
time prior to their transition. To know her was to love her.

Pearl enjoyed being outside tending to her garden, beautifying her yard with flowers. The yard bloomed with flowers from Spring to Fall.
She loved her dogs, often cooking meals for them from leftovers. She loved to travel which included frequent trips to MS. If MS wasn't a travel
destination, she sent care packages, asking family members to contribute. She was a woman of many talents. She was a seamstress and made
blankets for all her grandchildren and young family members. She was a kindhearted giving woman. She was strong willed with a determination
to help you, to give advice, direction, and critique. There were times when the delivery was direct. As she began to slow down on many activities,
cutting grass was the most difficult of all for her to let go.

Pearl was the first of eight children born to June Lee and Vertis Dyess on February 25, 1934, in the City of Newton, Precinct of Chunky, MS.
During her youth in MS, she picked cotton in the fields her parents. At the age of 14, the family moved to Brotmanville, NJ in 1948. She attended
the Vineland school system but did not graduate. She married Robert Rodgers in 1952. Together they had 3 children, Ronnie, Penny, and Parris.
And Risea with Benilee Reaves who she remarried in 1972.

Pearl accepted Christ in 1940. After moving to NJ, she became a faithful and devoted member of Friendship Baptist Church of Brotmanville
serving on the Usher Board, Mass Choir, Senior Choir, Head of the Kitchen committee, Missionary Ministry, Church clerk, and Bethany Association of Cedar Knolls. Her membership extends to over 76 years. She held various community memberships. As secretary of the Vineland NAACP, she participated in the MLK 1963 March on Washington, advocating for civil rights, helping people register to vote and working the polls in Pittsgrove Township, member of the Pittsgrove Township Democratic Committee, Brotmanville/Norma Neighborhood Watch, Pittsgrove Adult
Day Program and attended Active Day Adult Program.

One of her greatest self-fulfillments was to earn her GED in 1986, continue her studies and graduate from Cumberland County College in 1988 obtaining her AA Liberal Arts degree. This opened the door of opportunity and was employed with Sears and Roebuck in Vineland in
the furniture and appliance departments until her retirement. A strong included working in the cotton fields, housekeeping and as a seamstress
in several sewing factories in Vineland, including DeRossi making military uniforms.

At the age of 90, on September 25 she departed this earth to be with the Lord. She leaves to cherish her memories, her children Ronnie
(Bonnie) Rodgers of Somerset NJ, Penny Slackman of So. Orange, NJ who transferred to Brotmanville to help care for her mom for the past
11`+ years, Parris (Aaron) Handy of Vineland NJ and Risea (Raymond) Twum-Barima of Vineland NJ. Six grandchildren, Danielle Butler-Jones MD, Aaron Handy Jr, Anthony Butler Jr, Ashley Rodgers, John Slackman Jr, and Matthew Butler. Sisters Eldora Wright of Paulsboro and Sandra (Cedric) Holmes of Sicklerville. Brothers Johnny (Tracey) Dyess of Gibbstown and Arnold Dyess of Lewes DE.

Step children Benilee Floyd (Cynthia) Reaves of Egg Harbor Twp NJ, Shirley (Mac) Mcleod of Pittsgrove, NJ, Alberta Reaves of Blackwood,
NJ, Sharon King of Newfield, NJ, Remont (Pamela) Reaves of Norfolk VA, Seward Reaves of Millville NJ, Sara Reaves of Sicklerville NJ and
Carol Jean Shaw of MN. A host of great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

She is predeceased by her parents, June and Vertis Dyess, brothers Junior Harris, Ralph, and sister Louise. Husband's Robert Rodgers, Benilee
Reaves.

Favorite verse: Psalm 145:2 Every day I will bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever.
Favorite scripture: Psalms 23
Favorite Song: I'm Climbing Up On the Rough Side of the Mountain