Bessie Lyons, 97
Born: Jan. 14, 1915
Died: May 11, 2012

Bessie Lyons, 97, of Harrison, formerly of Cassopolis, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, May 11, 2012, at home, surrounded by her loving family.

Bessie was born in Alicia, Ark. on Jan. 14, 1915, to Kavanaugh and Willie (Fowler) Dodson. She was the second born of nine children and spent her childhood in the south. In 1934, Bessie married Cletis Johnson and three children were born of this union. Bessie was a devoted mother and enjoyed being a homemaker. She was an avid gardener and delighted in working outside in the yard. Cletis died in 1966, and in 1970, Bessie married Charles Lyons.
In later years, Bessie moved to Cassopolis, where she was known for her generous and compassionate heart, often bringing meals to the sick, visiting the lonely and helping friends and neighbors in need. She was an active member of Pleasant View Church of Christ and enjoyed her Bible study groups and the friends she made through them. One of her greatest joys during this time was traveling the country visiting their many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and siblings.
Bessie will be deeply missed by her family and friends. She is survived by two sons, Robert (Connie) Johnson of Decatur and Jerry (Karen) Johnson of Harrison; step-daughter, Judy (Robert) Bundy of Dowagiac; two sisters, Mary Lou Smith of Riverside, Calif., and Marie Kirkman of Edwardsville, Ill.; eight grandchildren, Deborah (Charles) Keiter of Summerville, S.C., Brenda (James) George of Ocala, Fla., Mark Johnson of Decatur, Todd (Ann) Ziegert of Charleston, S.C., Christine (Ed) Trevillyan of Summerville, S.C., Greg (Laurie) Johnson of Orlando, Fla., Rob (Paula) Johnson of Baldwin, Wis., Jim (Kylee) Johnson of Mt. Pleasant; 15 great-grandchildren; 12 step-grandchildren; 20 step-great-grandchildren; four step-great-great-grandchildren; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husbands, Cletis Johnson and Charles Lyons, she was preceded in death by one daughter, LeJoye Johnson Ziegert; three step-sons, Dale Lyons, Lyman Lyons and Paul Lyons; one great-granddaughter, Chloe Johnson; and one great-grandson, Graeme Johnson; two sisters, Katherine Moore and Bonnie Perkins; and four brothers, Warren Dodson and Loren Dodson, Levine Singletery and Balus Singletery.
Family and friends gathered Monday, May 14, from 10 a.m. until time of service at 11 a.m. in Pleasant View Church of Christ, 60550 Crooked Creek Rd. (corner of M-60), Cassopolis, with the Rev. Larry Settle officiating. Mrs. Lyons was laid to rest by her late husband, Charles Lyons, in Reames and Norton Cemetery, Cassopolis.
The family prefers memorial contributions to the ministry of her grandson and his wife, Greg and Laurie Johnson, through Campus Crusade for Christ, Staff Account 0426459, 100 Lake Hart Dr. 1600, Orlando, FL 32832, or Pleasant View Church of Christ, 60550 Crooked Creek Rd., Cassopolis, MI 49031.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Connelly Chapel Wagner Family Funerals, Cassopolis. Online condolences may be sent to wagnercares.com.