Bessie Mount was born in Sinking Spring, Ohio.  She grew up as a conscientious girl with high Christian principles.  In school she studied stenography, and became a competent secretary.  The stories she read about the beginning of Adventist pioneers in foreign countries interested her very much and she wished some day to be a missionary.

But first she must be better prepared for the work. So she taught school in both Kentucky and Ohio for a number of years.  Thus she developed the art of getting children’s attention, and how to help them build strong characters for later life.  In her church she spent much time in the young people’s departments of the Sabbath school.  Little did she know then that god was preparing her for the type of work she would soon be called to do in China.  She was also well versed in the Holy Scripture and was interested in telling others of her love for Jesus.  It was in 1920, when she was 27 years of age, her call from the mission board came to her. With great excitement she responded.

Soon, with other missionaries who were also going to China, she was on her way.  And like all new recruits she was early inducted into language study.  This she applied herself diligently and learned to speak it very fluently being quite comfortable in conversation with Chinese colleagues.

She was placed in the position of responsibility in directing the Sabbath School Department in the Division Office in Shanghai. This she did with distinction, having as an able assistant, Chen Ming, and others.  She continued in this capacity for over twenty years.  Great was her influence in providing materials for the Sabbath School leaders in all the Unions throughout China.

When the China Division Office workers were transferred to the Philippines, Miss Mount was with them.  The leaders felt that they would be safe in Manila.  But when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor they also invaded many other countries in the Far East and all our American missionaries in the Philippines were interned for three years.

This was a difficult time for all of the workers. They suffered much from lack of food and proper living conditions.  After such an experience one would think Bessie had served enough years in China and would want to remain in America after her liberation.  Instead she was most happy to return for service in the China division as a secretary from 1947 to 1949.  She also became editor of the Chinese Voice of Prophecy News in Hong Kong.

In 1952 Bessie was appointed an Associate Director of the General Conference Ellen G. White Estate Office.  She continued in this department until her retirement in 1966, but continued working part time or full-time for another 16 years.

She was well acquainted with the correspondence and manuscripts of Ellen G. White, and from her knowledgeable study, Bessie Mount prepared many index cards and indexes to facilitate the office workers. She also helped to compile the quotations used in the Morning Watch reading books of Mrs. White, which had been such encouragement to members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church as they read the books from morning to morning.  Collecting material, she was responsible for the Ellen G. White writings in the Seventh-day Adventist Bible commentary, for which she was copy editor.

As a careful researcher in the Ellen G. White vault, she was well able to serve as a valuable counselor to the office staff and to other General Conference personnel.  She was the one who typed out chronological cards with pertinent facts, data and quotations to assist Arthur L. White.  She gave 59 years of service to the Seventh-day Adventist Church and left a priceless contribution.

Everyone was her friend and loved her deeply.  The last years of her life were spent in the home of Mrs. C. C. Crisler.  She was the widow of Elder Crisler, who was Mrs. White’s secretary until her passing in 1915, and China Division Secretary for many years.

On the quiet top of Howell Mountain among its fir-clad hills, near the Pacific Union College campus, Bessie felt very near to God. Here she spent much time reading many of the church periodicals and books as well as enjoying some programs of music and travel shown at the college.

At 96 years of age, she felt it necessary to be cared for in Rose Haven Convalescent Home within the shadow of the St. Helena Hospital and Health Center at Deer Park, California. Mrs. White’s last home could be seen from her window.  As we visited her from time to time her mind remained very clear as she recalled many memories of those years spent in China.

She passed away June 9, 1989 leaving two nephews, Rosco and Ralgh Swan, and a host of friends and fellow-workers to wait the great resurrection morning when we may see her again.