Bessie Louise Smith

1934 - 2025

Bessie Louise Smith, 90, of Carthage, Ill., passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, at Oak View Nursing Home in Burlington, Iowa.
Bessie was born in Adrian on April 15, 1934, the daughter of James and Mae (Pulis) Miller. She graduated from Carthage High School. In 1953, she was united in marriage to Richard Smith at the First Christian Church in Carthage. Bessie worked many jobs throughout her life. She was a telephone operator, a secretary at the First Christian Church, she worked at Hulen TV & Appliance, and the assessment office at the courthouse. Bessie was a member of the First Christian Church where she helped out with the food pantry and the Red Cross for many years.
Bessie is survived by her daughter, Jeana (Miles) Schroder of Danville, Iowa, her grandchildren, Elizabeth Schroder and Anthony Schroder, her sisters-in-law, Doris Miller and Janice Miller, and many other nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Richard Smith, her son, Brent Smith, her sisters, Catherine Hall and Molly Bentzinger, and her brothers, Johnny Miller, Jim Miller, Gary Miller, Francis Miller, Leonard Miller and Carl Miller.
A funeral service was held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 18, at Printy Funeral Home in Carthage with burial following at Moss Ridge Cemetery. A visitation was held prior to the service starting at 9 a.m. Memorials may be made out to the Food Pantry. Printy Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.