Bessie Jean Van Devere was born January 15th 1926 to Ford Douglas and Sara Palfrey in Little Rock, Arkansas. She was raised primarily by her father and paternal grandmother; her mother contracted tuberculosis and was quarantined for most of her life. But despite the minimal contact with her own mother, Bessie was a great mother and grandmother figure to many. In 1943, at the age of 17, Bessie met and married her first husband, Stanley Davis, and through their union the couple was blessed with a daughter, Millie. Unfortunately, Stanley, a US soldier died in the combat of WWII and Jean was left to raise Millie on her own. She packed her bags and moved to New Jersey to be closer to her in-laws. She found herself in Newark, NJ, a place where she spoke of with great admiration. Bessie assimilated into life in the North quite easily. She landed a job at a light bulb factory. Bessie frequented the Newark party scene, making good life long friends – whom she introduced herself to as Jean. It was at one of these social events that she met her second husband, Arthur Van Devere, owner and operator of H.P. Van Devere and Son Moving Company. In 1956 Jean and Arthur married and she joined her husband in Roselle. Shortly after, the newlyweds gave birth to a son, Robert S. Van Devere. During the next several decades, Jean doubled as a mother and the manager for the moving business – taking phone calls, scheduling moving dates, and maintaining a good rapport with the customers. She even found the time to make the 1964 March on Washington where she got to hear Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s famous "I Have a Dream Speech" in person. With her daughter married and her son in college, Jean along with her good friend, Mrs. Thompson got involved in estate sales. She became an antique expert and was a great saleswoman because of her genuine interest in people and her Southern politeness. She was a people person and a true sweetheart. Jean took pride in her family and provided a strong foundation for her grandchildren. Jean was always looking to help others, and even enlisted her family in delivering what she called "packages" to friends in need and donating money to numerous churches and charities. Jean had an impeccable memory; she lived in Roselle for more than 50 years and could tell you who your relatives were if you gave her your last name and what street you lived on. Jean loved denim and often wore a bandana around her hair. She enjoyed catching up with her friends and family over the phone, and even in her later years she liked to attend a good party. And while it was physically difficult for her to attend church, each morning she sat in the kitchen drinking her coffee and watching the mass on television. Jean was a strong presence in the lives of her many family members, friends, and her community and she will be greatly missed. She leaves behind a daughter Mildred Blue and son-in-law Harold Healis; a son Robert S. Van Devere and daughter-in-law Valerie Van Devere; seven grandchildren: Roy Canty, Alan Blue, Jenelle Fraser, Chancie Armstrong, Mariann J. Van Devere, Victoria Van Devere, and Jerell Van Devere, and three great grandchildren, Janae Fraser, Jaden Fraser, and Kyla Armstrong-Edwards. The family would like to extend special thanks to family friends and caretakers Barbara and Gayle for the loving-kindness and attentiveness to Jean during her final days. This Online Memorial has been created to commemorate the life of Bessie Jean Van Devere. You are invited to add a Tribute in her memory. Please click "Sign Guestbook" below to add your own memories, reflections, thoughts or condolences.