Homegoing services for Ms. Bessie (Neal) Edwards of Tampa who passed away on Saturday July 27, 2013 will be held Saturday August 3rd at 2:30 p.m., Aikens Funeral Home Chapel, 2708 E. Dr. M.L.K. Jr. Blvd, Elder Wayne Bryant pastor of The Word of His Grace Christian Fellowship Church, officiating and Pastor Don Fountain, New Beginnings Christian Church, providing words of comfort. Interment will follow. Bessie (Neal) Edwards was born June 8, 1952 in Dothan, Alabama to the late Wiley and Bessie Neal. She was educated in the Hillsborough County School System. She attended Blake High School and Tampa Bay Technical High School. Bessie was part of the first graduating class of Tampa Bay Technical High School in 1970. She went on to work for Verizon and later retired in 2001 after 30 years of service. After her retirement, she went on to work for Catherine's Plus Sizes for five years before moving on to Ashley Furniture Home Stores, where she served as a customer service representative until June 2008. Her last place of employment was Quality Distribution, Inc., where she worked since June 2008 to present. She was preceded in death by her parents, Wiley and Bessie Neal; her eldest son, Chad E. Edwards; her sister, Evelyn Glover; 6 brothers, Fred, Henry, Roy, Johnnie, Raymond and James Neal. She leaves behind one son, Xavier Brian Edwards, Esq. (of Columbus, Ohio); 2 brothers, David (Ruthie) Neal and Simon (Irene) Neal (all of Tampa, FL); 2 sisters, Louvenia Hatten (of Tampa, FL) and Susie Stoudemire (of Dothan, AL); sisters-in-law Mattie, Ethel and Cheryl Neal (all of Tampa, FL); a niece that has been more like a sister than anything Lorie Hatten (of Tampa, FL.); one beautiful goddaughter, Betia Washington (of Tampa, FL.); along with a host of beloved nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. The visitation will be held Friday August 2nd at Aikens Funeral Home from 5 to 8 p.m. The family will receive friends from 5 to 6 p.m. The friends and family are asked to meet at the Chapel on Saturday for the service.