Bessie May Montford

Waterford- Mrs. Bessie May Frances Simonds Taylor Montford of 3 Soundview Dr., died Sunday, December 25, 2016 peacefully with her family by her side.

Mrs. Montford was born on May 13, 1928 in Norwich, CT the daughter of the late Otis and Frances (Taylor) Simonds and granddaughter of the late James G. Taylor. She lived in New London most of her life and was educated in the New London Schools graduating from the former Chapman Technical High School. She worked at the YMCA for 14 years as a Matron before it closed in 1980. She was a member of the Huntington Street Baptist Church and has served on the Deaconess Board, the Service Guild, the Missionary Board and assisted in the Nursery and Cribroom. Also a member of the New London Home League of the Salvation Army, The Brighter Day Club. She was also a Girl Scout Leader, a Booster Club member of the former Sword Excabiler Drum and Bugle Corps. Her winters were spent in the last 15 years at Port St. Joe in Florida, where she was an active participant in the Salvation Army Home League and attended New Bethel AMC Church in Port St. Joe.

She married James W. Montford by the late Rev. AA Garvin on October 21, 1950 in New London. She is survived by her loving husband, two sons, James W. Jr of Boston, Richard C. of Savannah, GA and daughter Sheryl D. Varnedoe of Atlanta, GA; four grandsons, Rashard, Daniel, Dale Montford and Montford Varnedoe; two granddaughters, Jozlyn Varnedoe and Elisha Montford; siblings Rosie Lemon, Ramona Williamson, Odessa Gilchrist, Sandra Crosby, Luther, Eric and Everett Simonds. As well as a host of nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles, special friends Doris Major and Ella Sutton, Huntington Street Baptist Church Family and her Salvation Army family. She is predeceased by her siblings Laura Cohens, Zelma Perry, Otis Simonds Jr. and Lawrence Simonds.

A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, December 30, 2016 at 11:00am in Huntington Street Baptist Church, 29 Huntington St., New London. A Visiting Hour will be held one hour prior to the service at 10:00am in the church. Burial will be private in Jordan Cemetery, Waterford. Fulton-Theroux Funeral Home, New London is handling the arrangements. Please visit www.fultontherouxnewlondon.com for photos, directions , tributes and more service information. In Lieu of flowers donations may be made in her memory to the Salvation Army, 11 Governor Winthrop Blvd, New London, CT 06320