Bessie Smith

Bessie Gray Bloomer Smith passed from this world on October 7, 2014, at her home near Ingram, Texas, in the loving embrace of her four daughters. She was 84 years old at her passing, being born in Centralia, Illinois, on May 19, 1930, to Thomas James Bloomer Jr. and Myrle Elinore Shoemaker Bloomer. She married Claude Wesley "Sonny" Smith of Ingram on July 6, 1950, in Austin. They were happily married for almost 63 years.\r\n\r\nBessie graduated from Yoakum High School as class valedictorian. Continuing her education, she earned her RN degree at the University of Texas Brackenridge School of Nursing, graduating in the same class with her beloved older sister, Charlotte. She and Charlotte began their nursing careers together at Sid Peterson Memorial Hospital when it first opened in Kerrville in 1949. She worked at various hospitals in Texas and Wyoming, spending the majority of her career as a surgical nurse at Sid Peterson. She later was Director of Nurses at the Kerrville State Hospital Annex psychiatric facility. Near the end of her career, she taught Licensed Vocational Nursing at Schreiner College. Even in retirement, her love of nursing kept her busy as a volunteer for the American Cancer Society. She was very proud to have participated for more than 50 years in a Nurses Health Study conducted by Harvard Medical School.\r\n\r\nBessie's strong Christian faith was a cornerstone of her life. She was a member of the Methodist church and later in life the Presbyterian church. As a young woman, she participated in Rainbow Girls, and was initiated into the Order of the Eastern Star in 1949, receiving her 50-year membership pin in 2010. She also served as a Girl Scout leader for her four daughters and many other young girls over the years. She was an avid bridge player, hunter and naturalist who loved to explore the far reaches of Colorado's San Juan Mountains in a Jeep with her husband. She was a member of the Ingram Garden Club and the Silver Threads Quilting Guild in Creede, Colorado, and she was never happier than when she was cooking, sewing and spending time with her family at home and in nature. \r\n\r\nShe is preceded in death by her parents, brother Thomas J. Bloomer III, sister Charlotte Bloomer Shierlow and her beloved husband, Sonny. She is survived by daughters Claudia Smith Dempsey of Sonora and Ingram, Connie Smith Phillips of Kermit, Charla Smith Ingalls of Schertz, and Cyndie Smith Waters of Austin; sons-in-law Jerry Phillips, Roger Ingalls and Chuck Waters; and children in heart Jackie Newman of Wallis (TX) Jerry Puckett of Fair Oaks Ranch, Mary Kay Kennedy of Bowie and Barry Wiley of South Fork, Colorado. Also surviving her are her grandchildren (and spouses) Curt and Jessica Dempsey of Richmond, Andrew Dempsey and John Cargioli of Kaneohe in Hawaii, Russell and Libby Dempsey of Bryan, Kyle and Denoyah Phillips of Midland, Matt and Melanie Phillips of Kaufman, Wes and Kara Dixon of Buda, Aaron and Danielle Dixon of Fort Worth, Charlotte Waters of Austin; step-grandchildren Keith and Corey Ingalls; great grandchildren Preston Thomas Dempsey, Karah and Jaxon Phillips, and Silas, Abram and Dietrich Phillips. She was eagerly awaiting the arrival of three more great granddaughters in early 2015. Also very special to Bessie were her husband's cousin, Gary Wooton, and his wife, Sherry of Ingram; nephew Charles Shierlow of Austin and niece Carolyn Braxton of Austin.\r\n\r\nA memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 11 at Grimes Funeral Chapels in Kerrville with the spiritual guidance of Lewis Allen of Sonora .\r\n\r\nThe family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society.\r\n\r\nThe family of Bessie Smith wishes to extend their heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Rebecca Barrington and her staff for their years of wise, compassionate care, and also to Drs. Greg McKenzie, Anand Mehendale, David Vaughan and Ryan Veurink. A very special thank-you goes to Peterson Hospice and especially to hospice nurse Lisa Davis for the unending grace, compassion and wisdom she showed to our entire family throughout our mother's final months.\r\n\r\n[contact-form-7 id="73" title="Send Condolences"]