Bessie Pearlie Litchfield

Bessie Pearlie Pierce Johnson Litchfield, a beloved member of her community and a cherished family matriarch, passed away peacefully on October 9, 2025, at the age of 92. Born on November 17, 1932, in Bethera, South Carolina, Bessie lived a life rich in service, love, and commitment to her family and faith.

Bessie had a remarkable career, having retired from Reliable Electric, where her dedication and work ethic were widely admired. However, it was her time alongside her first husband, Dempsey Johnson, operating Johnson's Skating Rink that remains etched in the hearts of many. Known for her delicious hamburgers, Bessie not only provided good food but also a welcoming space for children in the community, offering transportation and a safe place to hang out. She played a significant role as a mentor to many in the Macedonia community, impacting lives through her kindness and guidance.

Bessie's spirit of hard work and her love for worship extended to her involvement with Providence Baptist Church, where she had been a devoted member. She found joy in life’s simple pleasures and was known for her creative side, having enjoyed writing poems, with a few being published.

Her family, which includes her children Michael Johnson, Barbara Merridith and her husband Jim, Brenda Lipsey and her husband Randy, Wanda Platts and her husband Joseph, Betty McMakin, Linda Lawhorne and her husband Rocky, Susan Wiggins and her husband Gary, and Edna Litchfield. Bessie is also survived by her siblings, Aiken Pierce and his wife Shirley, Cecil Pierce and his wife Pat, Alberta Johns, and Mary Matthews, along with eighteen grandchildren who carry forward her legacy.

Bessie was preceded in death by her father, William J. Pierce, and her mother, Mary Mills Pierce, along with her first husband, Dempsey Johnson, her second husband, Levance Litchfield, and her son, Jack Johnson. She also mourned the loss of siblings Woodrow Pierce, Lewis Pierce, George Pierce, Ann P. Williams, Cora Lee P. Williams, and Ella P. Williams, as well as grandchildren McKayla Johnson, Jarrod Johnson, Amy Stewart, and Stacy Johnson, and a great-grandchild Michaela Miklosi.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, October 11, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Russell Funeral Chapel, Moncks Corner. A funeral service will take place on Sunday, October 12, 2025, at 2:00 PM at Victory Baptist Church at 1120 Mail Route Road, Macedonia. Burial will follow in Hopewell Baptist Cemetery, Huger.