Obituary of Bessie Lee Gray

Bessie Gray, age 95, passed away on May 17, 2021 following a brief illness. Bessie moved to North Carolina 3 years ago from Dalton, GA where she had lived for most of her life. She resided with her niece, Nancy Martin of Cherokee until becoming a resident of Bryson Senior Living Assisted Care of Bryson City in September of 2020. She had many friends there and enjoyed working on crafts and jigsaw puzzles. Bessie was born in Blairsville, GA on July 25, 1925 to Alvin and Nancy Gilreath Raper. She was one of six children and was only two years old when her mother passed away. Her father then moved the family to Hazel Creek, NC where he worked in the cooper mine at Proctor until they had to relocate because of the Fontana Dam Project. They moved to Dalton, GA and it was there Bessie attended school, grew up, lived and worked. When she retired from her job at a carpet mill in 1995 she was given an award for perfect attendance, a remarkable accomplishment. She was a member of the Eleventh Street Baptist Church in Dalton but had attended Cherokee Baptist Church more recently. Bessie was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, Clifton, Clarence, Clyde, half-brother Robert, and sisters, Carmen and Pearl. She is survived by her niece and nephews, great nieces and great nephews who are too numerous to name. She was loved by all who knew her and will be sadly missed. A funeral service is planned for Wednesday, May 19, 2021 a 2pm at Cherokee Baptist Church. The services will be conducted by Pastors Ric Edding and Danny Sweet. She will be buried at Shady Grove Baptist Church Cemetery in the Ranger Community of Cherokee County, NC, next to her parents. Due to the distance from the Cherokee Baptist Church to Shady Grove no formal funeral procession will be planned. Those wishing to go to the cemetery may plan to be there at 4:30pm for a brief graveside service. Pall Bearers will be among her nephews and family friends. Long House Funeral Home is assisting with the arrangements