Aunt Bessie was born somewhere in Ascension Parish on October 21, 1902. She was the esecond daughter of Aurelius Absolom and Virginia (Landry) Ory. Her only child was Adolph Allen Stephens. She bore only one son because Aunt Bessie was never married and it has been rumored that 'Pepoe' Stevens had his way with her. Aunt Bessie went to Hilda's home to take care of her after the birth of her second child and was raped. Here is a picture of Aunt Bessie and Adolph:
Adolph and Aunt Bessie
Aunt Bessie was the best mother anyone could ever be. She raised Adolph with strict morals and also raised his two children until Adolph got married. Wanda and Debbie will claim Aunt Bessie as their mother over their own mother. She would press their Catholic shool uniforms for a decade. When Adolph got married to his second wife, Aunt Bessie moved in with Arthur Jr. and Ruby Lee Ory in their new house. Aunt Bessie was my confidant and she looked after us three kids as if we were her own. She was never flustered and in control of any situation. One day when no one was home, Aunt Bessie fell and broke her hip. She laid on the floor all day long until she was found. She had an operation and went back to Jr. and Ruby's for a month or two. She then suggested that she enter the local nursing home where she was able to help out with some of her old friends and neighbors. Jr. would go get her from the home so she could visit with her sister-in-law, my grandmother.
