Bessie "Elder Bessie" Ashworth

Bessie "Elder Bessie" Ashworth of Washington, DC transitioned January 13, 2026.

Elder Bessie Jean K. Ashworth was born in Washington, DC on July 13, 1944. She was the fourth of five children born to the late John and Vivian Kennedy. Elder Ashworth was "born with a veil over her face", a rare birth believed to carry deep spiritual significance, which she embraced as a divine calling and lifelong pathway to the Lord. She was lovingly raised by her stepmother, Loretta Hooper, who helped shape the foundation of faith, strength, and resilience that defined her life.

She was educated in the District of Columbia Public School System, graduating from Paul Laurence Dunbar Senior High School. She graduated summa cum laude from Strayer University with a degree in Business Administration. After graduation, she aspired to work in administration, she held several executive administrative positions at George Washington University; U.S. General Service Administration (GSA); U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Veterans Administration (VA); and the U.S. State Department. She later retired from the American Nurses Association in 2000.

Elder Ashworth was baptized at Shaw United Methodist Church in 1981, then she joined Jericho Baptist Church on August 7, 1985, later to be known as the City of Praise Family Ministries. She embraced life fully and found joy in many pursuits. She authored several books: Special Special, Woman Thou Are Called, and Stagnated Christian. She enjoyed bowling, traveling, and running marathons. She was a super fan of the Washington Commanders Football Team. In 2002, she answered her calling and became the Founder/CEO and Minister of Woman Thou Are Called Ministries, in Temple Hills, Maryland, impacting countless lives through faith and empowerment. 

In 2015, she was ordained as an Elder in the church. She sang in the choir and the head of the Greeters, Christening, Noon Day Prayer, and Prophetic Ministries. She also served on several other ministries, such as the Bereavement Care, Prayerline Nighttime, Spiritual Warfare, Prayer Night in the Chapel, and City of Praise (COP) Christian Academy. She recited her favorite scriptures every morning, Psalm 23:1-6 and Jeremiah 29:11. Her spiritual walk guided her relationships, her leadership, and her purpose, leaving a lasting impression on all who knew her.

She believed breakfast was the most important meal of the day and faithfully started each morning with pancakes and coffee. A lover of good food and fellowship, she especially enjoyed seafood and "real" shrimp fried rice with peas, carrots, and onions. Her favorite dining spots included IHOP, Denny's, Blue Dolphin Restaurant, and Levi's, where she often gathered after church on Sunday's.

She was married to the late Joe Thomas "Dickie" Ashworth for 38 years. She was preceded into heaven by her brothers: John (Marian) and Joseph Kennedy, and sister-in-law: Laura Young (Charles). She leaves to cherish her memory, her only son, Robert Kennedy; her stepsons, Lawrence Ashworth (Megan); Joseph Jackson; and Joe Ashworth, Jr; stepdaughters: Pandora Simrel (Everett) and Rochelle Ashworth; brother, Phillip Kennedy; sister, NewVelvet K. Washington (Thomas); sisters-in-law: Cassandra Pierre (Edrain); Catherine Ashworth and Tanis Daniels (Elwood); six grandchildren: Tamika Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, Jr. (Erica); LaToya, Rashad, Lakeysha, Terryll, and her grandchildren's mother, Pamela Kennedy. She had fifteen beautiful great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, family, and friends. 

Friends may visit with the family Friday, January 30 from 9 am until time of funeral service at 11 am at City of Praise, 8501 Jericho City Drive Landover, MD 20785. Interment to follow at Lincoln Memorial Cemetery, Suitland, MD on Friday, February 13, 2026.

In lieu of flowers, monetary donations in memory of Elder Bessie may be made to Thornton Funeral Home. (If unable to view the payment link from your mobile device, please turn your mobile device landscape to view the "submit payment" link.)