Mr. Booker Talford Sessoms Jr. was born on December 27, 1943, in Franklin, Virginia to Booker Talford Sessoms Sr. and Thelma Mae Jenkins Sessoms.  He received his educational training in the Isle of Wight County School System and graduated from Georgie Tyler High School in Windsor, Virginia graduating with the class of 1962 with Mr. Elgin Lowe as principal.  B. T. shared special memories with his peers of going to Connecticut to work in the tobacco fields during his teenage years. He attended Norfolk State University.  While there, he was drafted into the United States Army.  He received the National Defense Service Medal, the Viet Nam Service Medal, and the Viet Nam Campaign Medal.  Booker Talford Sessoms Jr. was honored to serve his country just as his father served with the 3919th QM gasoline supply company in England, France, Germany, and Belgium from October 1943 to November 1945.

Booker T. received the Lord Jesus Christ at an early age at Piney Grove Baptist Church in Franklin, Virginia.  The spiritual foundation Booker T. received was instrumental in shaping his commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ throughout his life.  On March 16, 1968, Booker Talford Sessoms Jr. and Jacqueline Lewis were united in the Holy State of Matrimony in Franklin, Virginia.  To this union were born Booker Talford Sessoms III and Julian Patrick Sessoms.  Booker T. and Jacqueline have been married for fifty-seven years.

After moving to Newport News, Virginia, Booker T. became a dedicated member of New Grafton Baptist Church where he took much joy in singing with the Second Senior Choir.  In 1986 on August 10, Booker T. was ordained as a Deacon at New Grafton Baptist Church and faithfully served in that capacity under the leadership of Reverend Dallas M. Willis with Deacon Murphy Thomas serving as Chairman of the Board of Deacons. Later, Booker T. became part of the First Baptist Church Denbigh Family where beautiful relationships were birthed.  Also, having quiet times at home meditating on the Word of God brought strength and comfort to his heart. He would often listen to his favorite song entitled “Worth” by Anthony Brown. Sunday School was an important part of his Faith Formation.  Emmanuel Baptist Church under the leadership of Bishop Howard E. Heard has been an extraordinary blessing in his faith journey.  The godly wisdom shared and the spiritual nurturing were all part of God’s plan.  Booker T. was employed with Newport News Shipyard.  He spent most of his career at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, Virginia where he received service awards in appreciation and recognition for his exemplary work there. 

Booker T. deeply loved his family and made sure to check on them to see how they were doing.  He loved taking his family and friends out to dinner whenever they came to visit.  His generosity did not stop there.  He made a habit of looking out for others when they experienced challenges in life; whether it was encouragement or financial support discreetly provided.  He was an avid Minnesota Vikings fan and took great pleasure in having lively conversations with his sister Thelma and niece, Ciara who were Dallas Cowboy fans.  His friends would also receive phone calls on Sunday evening to vigorously discuss the football results.

Booker T. leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Jacqueline Lewis Sessoms of Newport News, Virginia, Booker Talford Sessoms III {Marianne} of Germany, Julian Patrick Sessoms of Washington, D. C., one sister, Mrs. Thelma White {Robert, deceased} of Colonial Heights, Virginia, the Lewis and Nichols Family, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family, and friends.  L. C. Davis, his close friend, his childhood Camptown friends, and his Georgie Tyler High School classmates were dear to his heart.  His Emmanuel Baptist Church Family, First Baptist Church Denbigh Family, and his Piney Grove Baptist Church Family have been part of his journey of Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  

Military Honors for Mr. Sessoms will be held at the Church. 

It is the desire of the Sessoms family that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers.  

The family Mr. Booker Sessoms has entrusted his final care to C. C. Carter Funeral Home.

Full obituary and service information to follow soon.