Earman Lee Sessoms

God, in his infinite wisdom and unfailing love called one of his angels, Earman Lee Sessoms, home on August 6, 2019.  Earman was born on October 20, 1941 to the late Hayward Sessoms, Sr. and Willie Ann Sessoms in North Carolina.

Earman attended Robert L. Van High School in Ahoskie, NC where he played basketball and football; receiving an athletic scholarship to play football at Elizabeth City College. Robert L. Van High School was special for another reason, for it was where he met a young girl and high school sweetheart, Arthelia (Barbara) Riddick, who later became his wife. After high school, Earman was drafted into the United States Army where he served faithfully for 20 years.

Earman and Barbara were married on February 15, 1967. Together they raised three children and often moved to various parts of the U.S. while he was in the military, including Hawaii, Georgia, and Kansas to name a few.  In 1976 the family made one last move to the state of Maryland where he retired from the Army.   His daughter and three of his grandchildren also joined the ranks of the U.S. military (Jeanette, prior enlisted Army, Brittanie, prior enlisted Air Force, Tiffanie, former Navy ROTC, and Jemel, currently in-service Army Captain). Earman, always beaming with pride on their decisions to serve their country as he did for most of his life.  After retirement from the U.S Army, he went on to find employment with the United State Postal Service, where he worked for 15 years before retiring for the second time.

Some of his happiest moments were spent doting on his four grandchildren, who seemingly always wanted to spend weekends with their grandparents. The reason was not only because they spoiled their grands beyond belief, but it was mainly because weekends at the grandparents’ house meant waking up every morning to pancakes, bacon, sausage, eggs, and grits.  There was always enough for his children to sit down and eat when they arrived to pick up the grands.

Let’s also not forget that his grandchildren grew up celebrating two Christmas’, two Easter’s, and two birthdays - one at home with their parents and another once they made it to their grandparent’s house. There is definitely truth in the saying: Granddad’s are awesome dads but without all the rules!

Earman leaves to cherish his memory, his loving and devoted wife of 53 years Arthelia (Barbara) Sessoms; one daughter, Barbara Jeanette Loggins (husband Joseph), two sons, Billy J. Sessoms (wife Paula), Adarin Riddick, four grandchildren, Brittanie Sousa (husband Christian), Richard Williams, Capt. Jemel Sessoms, and Tiffany Loggins; one sister, Jean Pratt (husband, Nathaniel – deceased); three brothers, Alan Sessoms, Sr. (wife Leticia), Haywood Sessoms, Jr. (wife Carrie), and James Sessoms (wife Mary); siblings who preceded him in death, Diretha Griffin (Clarence) and Noah Sessoms; and a host of other relatives and close friends.

Earman will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Lovingly submitted, The Family