Bessie Mae Johnson was the daughter of Milum Franklin Johnson 1872 – 1958 and Corneila Manis 1881 – 1967. Her siblings were: Charlie E Johnson 1899 – 1967; Franklin Johnson 1901 – 1901; James Irvin Johnson 1905 – 1986; Henry Morgan Johnson 1907 – 1985; Andrew J. Johnson 1909 – 1991; Alice Claira Johnson 1912 – 2012; Lewis Johnson 1914 – 1914; Isam Oscar Johnson 1915 – 1996; Mandy Jane Johnson 1919 – 2002; Matt Johnson 1921 – 1983; Ella Kate Johnson 1923 – 2008 and Millie Johnson 1926 – 1927.

At the age of 14, Bessie Mae Johnson accepted the proposal of marriage from Lewis Miles Delph. They were married 9 April 1916 in Lee Co, Virginia.

Bessie presented him 15 babies. They were: Bascomb Slemp Delph 1917 – 2005; Lloyd D Delph 1919 – 2007; Virgie C Delph 1922 - 2014; Harvey Roscoe Delph 1922 - 2013; Kathleen M Delph 1925 – 2009; Lillie Belle Delph 1927 - 2014; Ettie Delph 1929 – 1931; Betha Delph 1932 – 1933; L D Delph 1933-2022; Cleo Annie Delph 1935; Velva Leora Delph 1937-2019; Juna Delph 1939 –1939; Lorene Helen Delph 1940 – 2007; Erma Delph 1942 - 2017; and Foy Mack Delph 1945.

The 1920 census confirmed that they were renting a house near Rose Hill, Lee, Virginia, and Lewis working out as a farm laborer. They had 2 children. Little Bascomb was a toddler of 2 and Lloyd, a baby of 3 months.

By 1930 the family had moved to Jonesville, Lee County, Virginia. They had rented a house on a farm, and Lewis was employed as a general farmer. The 4 oldest children, Bascomb, Lloyd, Virgie and Harvey were attending school. Kathleen was 5, Lilly was a toddler of 3, and the babe, Ettie was 1 year old.

Sometime in 1931 Lewis, Bessie and the family were anguished by the death of dear little Ettie.

Bessie had presented Lewis with another baby on April 20, 1931. They named her Betha. Betha was not destined to be with them long. Sometime in 1933, again they were sorrowed by sweet little Betha's death.

On June 6, 1939, baby Juna was born. Sadly she returned to God's presence two hours after her birth. Unfortunately history does not tell the cause of their deaths, or where they were buried.

The 1940 census revealed that they were living on Road 64 in rural Black Water, Jonesville, Virginia. Lewis had a public emergency job on a government road project. He had been out of work for 48 weeks having only worked in 1939 for 20 weeks and only earned $230 for those weeks. Bascomb was farming and the other boys were not working. They had 3 additions (still living) to the family since the 1930 census. L.D. who was 7, Cleo who was 5, and Velva Leora who was 3. This census also told how much schooling each family member had. Lewis had finished 3rd grade, his wife Bessie had finished 5th grade, Bascomb, Lloyd and Harvey had finished 3rd grade, Kathleen had finished 4th grade, Lillie was in 3rd grade and L.D. was in 1st grade.

Historical records do not reveal when Lewis and Bessie moved to Mooresburg, Hawkins Co., Tennessee, but oral family history puts it to be in the early to mid 1940's since many of the children attended school at the Lake View Elementary School with in walking distance of the farm they rented there. They were also in walking distance of Gills Chaple Baptist Church, where many of they family accepted Jesus as their savior and remained members until their death.

Oral family history also reveals that the family moved to the Big Creek, Surgoinsville, Hawkins County TN area probably in the late 50's or early 60's where they rented property after Lewis retired from farming. Sometime in the mid 60's Lewis and Bessie purchased a small home located in the Henard Town area of Rogersville TN where they lived until their health required them to move into the home of their daughter, Velva Leora Delph Jones where they lived until their respective deaths. The Social Security Death Index confirms that that is where they died.

Sept. 15, 1973, proved to be a very sad day for Bessie and the Delph family. Her dear Lewis Miles Delph passed away after a long hard battle with bone cancer. A grave was selected for his final resting place in the Highland Cemetery. Bessie's family and friends joined her at his grave site to place the earthly body of her beloved Lewis to rest; while looking forward to a great family reunion upon the return of Christ.

Aug.8 1976, after a wonderful day's outing with her youngest son Foy Mack Delph and his family, Bessie's spirit peacefully returned to her heavenly reward. Bessie's family and friends assembled at a plot reserved for her next to her beloved Lewis, to bid their loved one a fond farewell; once again looking forward to that great Resurrection Day.
(bio by Audrey Decamp Hoffman)(Additions were made by grand daughter Deborah Jones Tapp)