Mr. Carmella Antonio "Tony" Bess, Sr.

With heartfelt sympathy, the management and staff of Mitchell-Josey Funeral Home, Inc., and members of the Bess family announce the passing of Mr. Carmella Antonio "Tony" Bess, Sr., of Darlington, SC. Mr. Bess transitioned Saturday, June 28, 2025, at McLeod Regional Medical Center in Florence, SC, after an illness. 

Visitation with family and friends will be held daily from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the residence, 2618 Camellia Hills Dr, Darlington, SC.

Public viewing will be held 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM, Sunday, July 6, 2025, at Mitchell-Josey Funeral Home, Inc., 612 S Main St, Darlington, SC. 

A funeral service will be held 11:00 AM, Monday, July 7, 2025, at Ephesus Seventh Day Adventist Church, 124 Theressa Dr, Darlington, SC. Interment will follow at the US National Cemetery - Florence, 803 E National Cemetery Rd, Florence, SC. 

Obituary

     Carmella Antonio “Tony” Bess, Sr., born December 27, 1967, son of Charles Johnson and the late Patrica Ann Bess Jackson. 

     Tony was educated in the Darlington school system, graduating from Mayo High School in 1986. He joined the US Marine Corps in 1987 obtaining the rank of Lance Corporal. He completed several overseas tours in Spain, Africa, Kuwait, Jerusalem and various other bases before his honorable discharge from Camp Lejeune in 1990. After his military service, he joined the Wilmington, NC, Police and then the Wilmington Sheriff Department, serving 15 years. He furthered his education by obtaining Associate degrees in Account and Sociology, Bachelors degrees in Criminal Justice and Business Administration and Masters in Business Administration and Human Resource Development. 

     He was united in marriage October 19, 2013, to Ronnette Blair. His love for law enforcement led him to serve as a Correctional Officer in Raleigh with NC State Department of Corrections and the federal prison system with FCI Bennettsville SC where he retired in 2017. He was a loving husband, father and proud grandfather. His love and relationship with God was expressed in the care and concern he showed for everyone he met. He embodied family and took every opportunity to bring everyone together. He started his final rest June 28, 2025. 

     His love and memories will be forever cherished by: his wife, Ronnette Blair Bess; father, Charles Johnson; Step-mother, Queen Johnson; children: Carmello Antonio Bess, Jr., of Seattle, WA, Michael Antonio Curtis of Charlotte, NC, Shelvia Coe of Darlington, SC, Asha Allen of Hartsville, SC and god-daughter, DaNeeka Sheppard of Darlington, SC; brothers: Gregory (Tonya) Boseman, Reginald (Shaun) Johnson, Sr. and Edward Gerome Boseman; sisters: TaWanda (Derrick) Hendricks and Monique Daney; brothers-in-law: Joseph M. Blair, Gregory (Barbara) Blair and Ronald Blair; grandchildren: Naomi Louis, Michaela Curtis, Mykel Curtis, Cincere Curtis, Messiah Curtis, Wynter Pettis, TaNiyah Smith, Deberion Coe, Damais Brown, Josiah Scipio and Zanaya Blakney; his big brother/cousin Robert ‘Pee Wee’ (Regina) Wilds and Reverend Dr. Nathaniel “Uncle Nate” (Rosetta) Bess, Uncle Roosevelt Bess, Sr.;  Aunt Ella Mae and Uncle Bobby Johnson; nephews: Gregory Boseman, Jr., Reginald ‘R.J.’ Johnson, Jr., Gerome M. Boseman, Robert Boseman; nieces: Reagan Johnson, Danielle ‘Dani’ Boseman, Victoria Williams, Rynisha Gregg, Shakayla Boseman, Dominique ‘Porkchop” Brown, Shameena London, Syana Aranda, Tashianha Berry and Lashai Berry. As well as his Johnson Ladies - Aunties Cassie, Edith and Lillith. The ‘poker crew’ of Wilmington: Matt, Jill, Noah and Butchie Rivers and Patrice Holloman. Along with a host of other nephews, nieces, cousins, family and friends. 

Please keep the family and friends of Mr. Carmella Antonio "Tony" Bess, Sr., in your thoughts and prayers. 

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