Bessie Fern Stigall's Obituary
Bessie Fern Stigall, daughter of Norman Rockwell and Gladys Mae Eaton Gates, was born October 24, 1920 in Hartville, Missouri. Surrounded by her loved ones, Bessie Fern departed this life Saturday, November 10, 2007 in the Hartville Care Center in Hartville, Missouri at the age of eighty-seven years and sixteen days. In December of 1936, Bessie Fern was united in marriage to James Wilber Stigall and to this union two daughters were born. Bessie Fern was preceded in death by her husband, Wilber, on March 31, 1974; her parents; as well as two brothers, Buford and Bernis Gates. She is survived by her two daughters, June Porter, and her husband, Neil, and Patti Ashley, all of Springfield, Missouri; one sister, Jeanie Daughtery, and her husband, Jerald, of Hartville, Missouri; five grandchildren, Belinda Belk, and her husband, Brad, of Joplin, Missouri, Bruce Porter, and his wife, Debby, of Nixa, Missouri, Alissa Blair, and her husband, Keith, and Lindsey Crawford, and her husband, Mark, all of Ozark, Missouri, and Emily Ashley-Lipe, of Springfield, Missouri; three great-grandchildren, Kailee and Alec Porter, of Nixa, Missouri, and Mia Crawford, of Ozark, Missouri; a sister-in-law, Juanita Gates, of St. Louis, Missouri; a number of nieces and nephews, as well as a host of other relatives and friends. Bessie Fern was born and raised in Wright County and spent all of her life in this area. She was an active member of Little Creek Baptist Church until her health kept her from doing so. Bessie Fern worked at the MFA Exchange in Hartville, and many years later opened her own daycare. She cared for over fifty children through the years. Bessie Fern proudly represented Avon for over thirty years, reaching the President’s Club level in sales. She also enjoyed participating in the Tuesday morning breakfast club, and was a member of the Hartville Senior Citizens Center, where she loved singing, playing cards, and visiting with her many friends. She was known for being a people person. She loved, and placed great value on, her friendships. She loved her church, children, and was always willing to feed and shelter stray animals. Her proudest accomplishment was always her family, especially her precious grandchildren. Bessie Fern was a very loving mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, and aunt and was a most caring neighbor and friend to all who crossed her path. We celebrate her life and accomplishments and will cherish the memories she has made for her family and friends. Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, November 15, 2007, in the Holman-Howe Chapel, Hartville. Burial will be in the Steele Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be held Wednesday evening from 7 - 8:30 p.m. under the direction of Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Hartville, Missouri. Return to top
What’s your fondest memory of Bessie?
What’s a lesson you learned from Bessie?
Share a story where Bessie's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Bessie you’ll never forget.
How did Bessie make you smile?