Bessie Mae Donald was born on November 12th, 1936, in Bushnell, Florida, to Arch and Mariah Neal. She was one of twelve children. Her siblings, Thelma, Addie Mae, Lily Bell, Lorraine, Norman, Samuel, Joel, Jeffrey, Daniel, Joseph, and Richard "Buster" Neal will be welcoming her in Heaven. Bessie is predeceased by her husband Cleo Matthew Donald, and children Deloris Williams and Curtis Donald. She is survived by her children Jeanetta Donald, Rosemary Williams (Michael Lopes), Cleola Donald (Bobby Adams), Tanji Donald, Stanley Donald, Stacey Donald, Eva Grant, Marcy Donald, LaWanda Donald, and Leonard Swafford Donald. She also raised her grandson, Naeem Miles, whom she loved dearly. She is survived by numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family.

Bessie traveled from Florida to Massachusetts for a better life and new opportunities. She was a woman who broke boundaries and defied many odds to provide for her twelve children. Her aspirations led her to pursue higher education and she attained her Associate's degree from Roxbury Community College, a Bachelor of Science degree from Northeastern University, and a Master's degree from Cambridge College. Her field of study was English. She was very passionate about writing. Bessie was an educator and believed education was of the utmost importance. As well as her passion for writing, Bessie loved music and singing. She played the piano, wrote songs and poems, and is author of a book titled Jump Pa the Slave. She was a beautiful person with a big heart. She leaves behind a legacy in which her family will continue, encompassing all of her values and aspirations to achieve. May God open the doors to Heaven and grant her Everlasting Life and Peace. ~Amen