Obituary of Bessie Louise Modlin

Bessie Louise Modlin, age 89, of Baltimore, Maryland, peacefully transitioned from this life on January 7, 2026. She was born on April 9, 1936, in Roxboro, North Carolina, to Mack Mitchell and Modae Mitchell (Royster), who preceded her in death. Bessie was a woman of faith, and a steadfast believer in the Lord. She was baptized as a teenager at Eastern United Methodist Church in Baltimore, Maryland. Bessie's first marriage to Emanuel Cofield ended in divorce. Bessie was the beloved wife of 64 years to the late Elihu Peter Modlin Jr and a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. Bessie was educated in the Baltimore City Public School System and dedicated her professional life to public service. She began her career as an elementary school substitute teacher and later worked as a Benefit Authorizer with the Social Security Administration. Known for her compassion, kindness and quiet strength, she rarely raised her voice. Outside of her professional life, Bessie found joy in the simple things she loved. She enjoyed having her family together for Sunday dinners. She read several newspapers daily, faithfully followed the news, enjoyed watching game shows, and tried her luck with scratch-offs. Although Bessie did not like to fly, she still loved to travel and went on numerous cruises from the Port of Baltimore. A proud Baltimorean, she was a devoted fan of the Baltimore Ravens and the Baltimore Orioles. Bessie is survived by her loving children: Barry Bey (Sylvia), Peter Maurice Modlin, Karen Lisa Catlett, Debra Elaine Modlin, and Tracy Doreen Modlin, her daughter-in-law, LaVonne Cofield; honorary daughter, Wanda Lonesome; her grandchildren: Stacey, Donte, Taka, Chris, Eli, Tori (Corey), Taia, and Ridgeway III; her cherished great-grandson, Chayse; her sister Joyce Dean; her sisters-in-law Naomi Modlin and Carolyn Modlin, as well as a host of loving nephews, nieces, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her son, Dennis Cofield, and her siblings Gertrude Jackson, Virginia Williams, John Mitchell, and Wallace Mitchell. Bessie's memory will forever live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her. She will be remembered as a devoted family matriarch whose warmth, wisdom and love will live on in the hearts of all who knew her. She will be deeply missed, but the love she shared and the traditions she created will live on for generations. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Modlin Family Scholarship at Salisbury University, honoring Bessie's legacy of faith, family, and service: https://giving.salisbury.edu/campaigns/modlin-family-scholarship-1