Bessie Marie White

She prepared us well for the final moment when she passed on April 23, 2013, 9:49 p.m. Her life was simply focused with one goal in mind: her belief and hope of a better world where suffering and pain are no more. Bessie was born in Vandalia, Michigan on August 10, 1922 to Louisa and Walter Shattuck, the youngest of 9 children, who have all preceded her in death - Ronald, Frank, Nina, Ruth, Lucille, Helen, Erma, Bell (her twin sister). She married the love of her life, Lester White, on February 4, 1942. Together they raised six children: Lamonte White (Linda), Leslie Woodhams (Charles), Tom White (Gail), Terry White (Lillian), Steven White, and Elizabeth Miller (Robert). Granchildren : Daniel, Jennifer (Lamonte); Christine, Derrick (Leslie); Robert, Mark, Brenda, Heather (Tom); Wayne, Sunshine, Kimberly, Reagan (Steven); Ryan, Emily (Elizabeth), and 19 great grandchildren. As wife, mother, grandmother, and friend to many, she lived who she was honestly, working along-side Lester farming the land they loved for 71 years. Bessie was a talented seamstress and sewing was a large part of her life. She made 41 quilts, but before she had time to create those, she made most of the clothes for her children. We grew up with what today is labeled "organic" or "handmade artisan goods", things you visit your local farmer's market to buy. She had an eye for quality and beautiful fabric and knew what to do with it, whether sewing it or cleaning it, and her children were always well dressed in her handiwork. With six children and farming, we always had a house full of people, whether friends, relatives, or workers who came to visit or help with the harvesting. She was a favorite aunt to most of her nieces and nephews, and they always looked forward to visiting the farm. She had a big family and therefore lots of meals to prepare, and most meals consisted of what was grown, raised, canned, or frozen, of which she shared with any who happened to be at her table. Most of her life she filled with work for her family and friends. She rests peacefully now with her hope and her belief and leaves behind her other family she dearly loved as a Jehovah's Witness. There will be a memorial of her life at the Vicksburg Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses,May 18, 2013 at 2:00 p.m.