Bessie Theresa (Reid) Western of Newport, Arkansas, departed this life on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, at the age of 91. She was born January 4, 1933, in Mishawaka, Indiana, the only child of Edward Robert and Catherine Cecilia (Fraula) Reid.
Mrs. Western was a graduate of Walkerville Public School in Michigan. After high school, she married Mr. Derial Gene Western on March 2, 1952, and they began building their family in Arkansas. She was a homemaker and helped her husband on the farm. She also worked for Beedeville School as the Secretary for ten years. She was a devoted member of Sandhill Church of Christ.
Mrs. Western enjoyed crocheting, painting, and hunting. She loved gardening, especially tending to her roses. Mrs. Western was a member of The Order of the Eastern Star.
Mrs. Western is preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Derial Gene Western; an infant son; and her parents.
She is survived by her son, Wess Gene Western, of Newport; two daughters, Julia Ann Fullerton and husband Scott, of Dexter, Missouri, and Cecilia Caye Western and husband Patrick, of Cordova, Tennessee; four grandchildren, Chad Fullerton and wife Elizabeth, of Dexter, Missouri, Alisha Fullerton Manes and husband Kevin, of Bloomfield, Missouri, Catherine Dru Western James and husband Joe, of Jonesboro, and Alex Carrroll Western Whitehead and husband Tyler, of Sheridan; and seven great-grandchildren, Anna Kate Fullerton, Annalee Ferguson, Noah James, Henry James, Sadie James, Jett James, Palmer Whitehead, Laekyn Manes, Declan Manes, Alyssa Manes, and Kip Manes.
The family of Mrs. Bessie Western will be conducting a memorial service at a later date. Details will be announced as they become available.
Arrangements by Jackson’s Newport Funeral Home.
