God saw that the roads were getting tough and the hills were hard to climb so the Lord whispered, “It’s time to take your rest” and called Beatrice Graham-Sumpter, “better known as “Mama Sumpter” or “Big Mama”, at her home on November 5, 2022 in Dalzell. She was born on June 10, 1915 in Sumter, and was the daughter of the late Nelson Graham, Sr. and Alberteen Dyson Graham and widow of the late James Sumpter. Beatrice was educated in the public schools of Sumter County. At an early age, she accepted Christ as her personal Savior and joined Joshua Baptist Church in Dalzell, where she served diligently on the gospel choir, member of the Missionary Association, Sunday School and a Trustee’s wife. She worked in the cafeteria at Ebenezer School in Dalzell. Mrs. Sumpter was a fashionable woman who enjoyed arts and crafts, traveling, fishing and most of all cooking especially her famous fruit cakes. Later in life, she enjoyed going to the senior citizen center to mix and mingle with her friends. On June 10, 2022, she was acknowledged by the Sumter County Council and Sheriff Anthony Dennis proclaimed June 10 as “Beatrice Sumpter Day”. Mrs. Sumpter’s loving memories will be cherished by: her children, Earline Gillis of Dalzell, Willie Sumpter, Sr. of Sumter, Harmon (Elizabeth) Sumpter of Sumter,, John E. (Mary) Sumpter of Brooklyn, N.Y., Joenathan (Bessie) Sumpter of Winston Salem, N. C., Kizer Sumpter of Dalzell, Michael L. (Rosa) Sumpter of Dalzell; twenty four grandchildren; thirty four great grandchildren; thirty one great-great grandchildren; three great-great-great grandchildren, and a host of special nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. In accordance with the COVID-19 guidelines, the family is requesting that face masks and social distancing be observed by relatives and friends during visitation at the home, 4025 Cannery Road, Dalzell. Funeral services will be held 2:00 p. m., Friday, November 11, 2022 at Joshua Baptist Church, 5200 Live Oak Road, Dalzell, with the Rev. Eugene Dennis, Pastor. The procession will leave the home at 1:30 p. m. Burial will follow in the Joshua Baptist Church Yard Cemetery.
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