Bessie Cross Obituary

Bessie Irene Stewart Cross

December 17, 2024

FT. MYERS, FL - Bessie Irene Stewart Cross, a long time Piney Flats resident (living in Ft. Myers Florida in retirement) went home peacefully to be with the Lord on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. Bessie was 95 years old at the time of her death.

She was loved by so many families and friends across the country, but her heart was always in the East Tennessee mountains. She was a country girl at heart!

She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Hubert D. Cross, her father, Charles Stewart, mother, Bettie Coe Jones Stewart, sisters, Verda Turner, Imogene Hicks, and Charlene Stewart and a brother, Earnest Stewart.

Bessie was a graduate of Mary Hughes High School, and had worked for various companies during her lifetime, but her favorite "job" was gardening, cooking, and serving others. She had a beautiful life and a merry heart and will be missed dearly by all who knew her.

Bessie is survived by many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and even great-great nieces and nephews. While Bessie never had children of her own, she "mothered" so many that just about everyone called her "Aunt Bessie" and loved her like a mother.

She spent her final years in Ft. Myers, Florida living with her niece, Revonda Stewart.

She loved bingo, great food, going to auctions – especially with Farron Stewart (her absolute favorite cousin) , and most of all enjoyed laughter around her every day . She also loved gospel quartets and bluegrass music and could be seen clapping her hands or tapping her feet from her birth until the day the Lord took her home. She even tried to develop piano skills, but we won't talk about that!

Words cannot express what a beautiful life she had in her 95 years on earth and what joy she brought to those who knew her!

Well done, my good and faithful servant!

Bessies family extends an invitation to all who knew and loved her to join us to pay last respects and celebrate her home-going.

Tetrick Funeral Home in Bluff City, Tn will hold the celebration of life for Bessie on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, at 3 PM. The family will receive friends from 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM prior to the service on Saturday. A private interment will be at Sanders Cemetery in Piney Flats, TN on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024.

Words of sympathy may be shared with the family by visiting our website at www.tetrickfuneralhome.com. Tetrick Funeral Home of Bluff City is honored to serve the Cross family. Office phone: (423) 542-2232.