Bessie Smith

Bessie Mae Smith

Battle Creek

Bessie Mae Smith, 82,  died at The Oaks at NorthPointe Woods on Wednesday, September 23, 2015.

She was born May 8, 1933 in Battle Creek, Michigan to Andrew R. and Lucile I. (Forester) Taylor.  Her Baptism in the Upton Avenue Methodist Church, as an infant, was the beginning of her lifelong service to Christ thru that church and its successor, Birchwood United Methodist Church.  Her service included leadership roles in the church, the United Methodist Women and the Faith Circle.  She also served for many years as Financial Secretary and leading Birchwood's participation in the Salvation Army Soup Kitchen.  Bessie loved music, played the piano and sang in the choir.  She was a fixture at church work bees, bazaars, funeral dinners and Harvest Home dinners.  Her recipes and baked goods were highly sought after.   

Bessie Mae and her husband, Terry O. Smith first met as teenagers at the Upton Ave. Methodist Church Youth Fellowship.  They were later married in the same church September 5, 1953.  They were blessed with three wonderful kids and their family became the other focus of her life.  In the early years, she was a room mother, Camp Fire Girl Leader and a cub Scout Den Mother.  In later years, Bessie was a fixture at sporting events and concerts for both her kids and grandkids.  She doted on them, crocheting afghans, playing games, cooking and caring for them.  Bessie loved having them come for holidays, especially Christmas.  She deserved a medal for enduring with humor one four week "Griswold Like" family vacation through the southwest.  It involved traveling with her husband and kids, pulling a pop-up camper 6,600 miles in a 9 passenger station wagon, without air conditioning, during July! 

Even though camping never became her favorite activity, she loved nature.  Bessie enjoyed flowers, trips to Northern Michigan, fishing and bird watching (Chickadees and hummingbirds were among her favorites).  She also enjoyed playing games from bean bag to Bridge.  She surprised her kids and grandkids, and drew their praise for her determination and competitiveness. 

That same determination served her well when she was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in 1995.  Bessie said, " We are not going to let this beat us.  We have a lot of living yet to do."  Many years later, with very diminished capabilities, Bessie still usually answered "Fine" when someone asked how she was. 

Surviving are Terry, her husband of 62 years; two daughters, Debra K. (Larry) Todak and Kathryn A. (Mark) Powell all of Battle Creek; seven grandchildren; six step grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; a brother, Gerald R. (Gloria) Taylor of Ludington, MI; daughter-in-law, Marci Smith of Battle Creek; stepsister, Melva (Russ) Zaharion of Battle Creek; three cousins, Dr. Henry (Jean) Brown of Battle Creek, Bryce (Judy) Forester of Mason, Brenda (William) Daugherty of Lakeland, FL; numerous nieces and nephews and their families; and special friends, John and Laura Davis and Clinton and Barbara Smith.  Bessie was preceded in death by her father, mother, stepfather, Henry Webster; her son, David A Smith and her brother, Robert L. Taylor. 

Bessie was a 1951 graduate of Battle Creek Public Schools and attended Western Michigan University 1951-53, where she was a member of Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority.  She was a former member of the Kool Family Community Center (formerly Burnham Brook Center) and volunteered for The Red Cross. Bessie was employed outside of the home for short periods with Kellogg's, Kelly Services, and at Drs. Power, Stephenson and Gould's offices, but when asked she would say "I'm just a housewife".  Her family, who were blessed to have her in their lives said "She was an exceptional homemaker and the heart of the family". 

Friends will be received 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Sunday at the Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care.  Funeral services will be officiated by Pastor Bruce Kintigh at Birchwood United Methodist Church 11:00 a.m. Monday, September 28, 2015.  Committal and interment will be held at Ft. Custer National Cemetery 10:30 a.m. Tuesday.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Birchwood United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, 3003 Gethings Rd, Battle Creek, MI 49015; or the American Parkinson Disease Association, 135 Parkinson Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10305.  Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.