Bessie Smith

CAIRO, Ill. -- Bessie Johnson Smith, 92, passed away Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012, at Daystar Care Center in Cairo.

She was born July 8, 1920, in Joppa, Ill., daughter of Albert and Hazel Johnson.

Graveside service will be at 2 p.m. today at IOOF Cemetery in Metropolis, Ill., with the Rev. Mike Duncan officiating.

Bessie was affectionately known as "Grandma Betty." She worked a variety of occupations during her life. During World War II she worked in a weapons factory in St. Louis, was a seamstress, a model for a clothing shop in Chicago, repaired dolls in a "doll hospital" and other various occupations. She enjoyed traveling, cooking and sharing recipes and being with family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Hazel; husbands, William Schoen and Walter Smith; and two sisters.

Survivors include three daughters, Peggy Parker and husband Russell of Villa Ridge, Ill., Carolyn Woods and husband Jerry of Jackson, Cheryl Cetnar of Phoenix; five grandchildren, Gary Woods and wife Judy of Fredericksburg, Va., Charles Woods and wife Pam of the Chicago area, Jerry Woods II and wife Donna of Festus, Mo., Ginny Severs and husband John of Pulaski, Ill., Peggy Jones and husband Bryan of Phoenix; a nephew, Kevin Theos and wife Amy of Birmingham, Ala.; several great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

Aikins-Farmer Funeral Home in Metropolis is in charge of arrangements.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of memorial donations in memory of Bessie Smith to Daystar Care Center, 2001 Cedar St., Cairo, IL 62914.