Bessie Belew

June 15, 1917 - June 1, 2015

Bessie Belew, who would have turned 97 on Friday, passed away Monday morning, June 1, 2015 at her residence. A funeral service will be held on Friday, June 5, 2015 at 10:00 AM at Henryville United Methodist Church with Bro. Doug Smith officiating. Burial will follow in Lawrence County Memorial Gardens. The family will visit with friends on Wednesday, June 3, 2015 from 4:00 - 8:00 PM as well as Thursday, June 4, 2015 from 4:00 - 8:00 PM at Henryville United Methodist Church. Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Born in Lawrence County on June 5, 1918, Bessie was the daughter of the late Aude and Milbrey Rector Ketchum and wife of the late Raymond Belew. She was a member of Bible Methodist Church. Bessie loved to sew, cook, draw, and take care of her family, especially her grandchildren. She always welcomes everyone into her home with open arms. She is survived by her sons: Ike (Dorothy) Belew of Summertown, C.W. (Wanda) Belew of Wallls, MS, Raymond (Vernie) Belew of Ethridge, Max (Edna) Belew of Summertown, Pete (Robbie) Belew of Columbia, Billy Belew of Mt. Juliet; daughters: Marie (Charlie Simpkins) Brewer of Elizabethtown, Shirley (Raymond) Berry of Summertown, Sonda Phillips of Summertown, Peggy Belew of Summertown; twenty-three grandchildren; forty-four great-grandchildren; and thirty-five great-great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond Belew; daughter: Marion Willoughby; three grandchildren; one great-grandchild; two sons-in-law: Lester Brewer and Todd Phillips; sisters: Gurlene Davis and Tellie Best; and six brothers: Floyd Ketchum, Clarence Ketchum, Hoyt Ketchum, Cecil Kethcum, Jack Ketchum, and Richard Suiter. Pallbearers will be grandsons. Honorary pallbearers will be great-grandsons and great-great-grandsons.