Mrs. Bessie Reese Story

Bessie Reese Story was born January 16, 1934 in Hazlehurst, Mississippi. She was the second oldest child of 9 siblings born to the union of Claude Otis and Josie Mae (Henley) Reese. She attended Hall Hill Elementary in Hazlehurst, MS., Coleman High School in Greenville, MS and completed her college education at Jarvis Christian College in Hawkins, TX. After completing her college education, Bessie went on to become an elementary school teacher for several years at Brushy Creek Elementary in Georgetown, MS. She moved to Chicago, IL to seek a more exciting life. While in Chicago, she met and married a young man named Cecil Story. During this union, they had four children, two sons and two daughters. In addition, Bessie opened her heart and home to several children that were not her own. Bessie and Cecil moved their family to Milwaukee, WI to pursue a different career path. She became an electrician and worked for Square D for 30 years, writing breaker systems. Bessie had a strong work ethic, which led her to co-own 3 successful businesses and various real estate ventures with her husband Cecil. Throughout the years, Bessie possessed a good sense of humor, enjoyed traveling with her sisters, completing word search puzzles, spending quality time at home with Beaver, Junior, Adrienne, Adryiana and Duke, engaging in conversation with her nephew Trent hopping with her sister Helen and niece Valerie, going to the casino with her niece Brigette and talking on the phone with her siblings, grandkids, family and friends weekly. She also found joy in watching "Wheel of Fortune" and Pastor Benny Hinn. Bessie Story accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age at Hall Hill Baptist Church in Hazlehurst, MS. While in Milwaukee, she united with Monumental Baptist Church for several years until Cecil's passing. Years later, she renewed her faith and joined Christ Temple COGIC. She valued her salvation, her family; and her friends deeply. She was truly a GIVING and loving person. Bessie experienced many health challenges, but remained strong. After suffering a quadruple bypass and receiving a pace maker in 2012, Bessie continued to trust God through her health journey. On Thursday; January 19, 2017, at about 7:30am after asking her daughter Adrienne the question "Am I dying?" and moments later very peacefully shouting "Jesus! I'm Leaving': she passed on to Glory. On this day, Heaven gained an Angel! Bessie was preceded in death by her parents Claude Otis and Josie Mae Reese, her husband Cecil Story, her sister Liza Reese, son-in-law Baldy Fitzgerald, nephew Jerome Reese, niece Kama (Hollie) Snerling and her 2 great granddaughters. She leaves to cherish her memory 3 brothers, Cal (Arlette) Reese of Crystal Springs, MS, Claude Otis Reese, Jr. and Lee Allen Reese of Hazlehurst, MS; 4 sisters, Helen Wortham of Milwaukee, WI, Viola Reese of Byram, MS, Florine McCoy- Bryant and Geneva Young of Hazlehurst, MS; 1 brother-in-law Jarrell Owensby of Buffalo, NY; sister-in-law Brice (Eli) Parker of Maywood, IL; 2 sons, Delwynn Story, Sr. and Cecil Story, Jr. of Milwaukee, WI; 2 daughters, Adrienne Story of Milwaukee, WI and Rene Story of Los Angeles, CA; 1 Uncle J.C. (Irene) Henley of Gary, IN; 1 Auntie Parzina Washington of Buckeye, AZ; 8 Grandsons, DeMario (Sherelle), Marshaund, Brandon, Brian, Delwynn, Jr., Ralph, Ir., Jovante and Malachi; 5 Granddaughters; Yolonda, Monique, Stacia, Ruby and Adryiana and 10 Great Grandchildren. She had many nieces, nephews that she loved as well as other cousins and loving family and friends.

Mrs. Bessie Reese Story

January 16, 1934 - January 19, 2017