Bessie Wise November 6, 1924 – July 12, 2022

Bessie Wise

November 6, 1924 – July 12, 2022

Bessie Wise, age 97, of Killeen, passed away on Tuesday, July 12, 2022, in Gatesville.

Graveside services were held at 10 a.m. Friday, July 15, 2022, at Bee House Cemetery in Coryell County.

Bessie Lee Wise was born on Nov. 6, 1924, in the Pearl community to the late David Henry and Velma Mae Creacy Webb. She married Gilbert Andrew Wise on Nov. 2, 1940. After their marriage, they made their home in Killeen, where they raised their family. Bessie stayed at home with their children until they were in school and then went to work at Fort Hood, where she remained until her retirement in the mid-1980s. Her family was always her priority, so the travel trailer made unnumbered trips to Lake Buchanan for holiday weekends, even more so as the family added in-laws and precious grandchildren. Bessie loved and treasured her babies; Granny was always there for them, loved to cook wonderful meals for them, and she lived long enough to see her grandchildren bless her with great and great-great grandchildren. Certainly, family was her life. She was also a crochet master. She spent untold hours over the years with piles of delicate beauty sitting on her lap, her fingers deftly working her crochet hook. Every bed in the house had an exquisite, colorful crocheted bedspread adorning it, and intricate tablecloths were gifts of love. As she moved from cotton thread to yarn, there was always an afghan in the works, so many of which were given as gifts. Her artistry was simply unmatched. In her later years, she turned that artistry to dolls. The magnificent American Indian dolls she created still stand in her living room.

Almost a century of a life well lived… one can ask no more than that. Granny will be missed.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Gilbert; children, Kenneth, Dan, and Connie; and grandsons, Kevin and Waylon.

She is survived by her son, Jack Wise and wife, Sharon; daughter-in-law, Pat Wise; grandchildren, Becky Brooks and husband, Jimmie; Justin Wise and wife, Lauren; Brian Wise and wife, Katie; Tyler Wise and wife, Hailey; eleven great-grandchildren; and three great-great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorials be designated to Bee House Cemetery Association, c/o Sandra Conner, 2143 CR 155, Gatesville, TX 76528.