- Date Of Birth: January 14, 1915
- Date Of Death: May 11, 2012
- State: Michigan
Bessie Lyons, 97, of Harrison, Michigan, 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, Arkansas on January 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, Jerry (Karen) Johnson of Harrison; step daughter Judy (Robert) Bundy of Dowagiac; two sisters, Mary Lou Smith of Riverside, California, and Marie Kirkman of Edwardsville, Illinois; eight grandchildren, Deborah (Charles) Keiter of Summerville, South Carolina, Brenda (James) George of Ocala, Florida, Mark Johnson of Decatur, Todd (Ann) Ziegert of Charleston, South Carolina, Christine (Ed) Trevillyan of Summerville, South Carolina, Greg (Laurie) Johnson of Orlando, Florida, Rob (Paula) Johnson of Baldwin, Wisconsin, Jim (Kylee) Johnson of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan; fifteen great grandchildren; twelve step grandchildren; twenty 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.
