Obituaries

Bessie Inez VonKanel

Bessie Inez VonKanel, 92, of Lexa, Arkansas passed away Saturday, November 19, 2011 at her home with her family at her side. Bessie was born February 12, 1919 in Lee County Arkansas in the South Plains Community to the late Benjamin K. Smith and Myrtle V. Brock Smith. Bessie married her first husband, Raymond Morton, and raised her four daughters in that community until his death. She was a home maker, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and sister to her extended family of brothers and sisters. She was of the Church of Christ faith where she was a member of the Cypert Church of Christ. She also belonged to The Lexa Thursday Morning Coffee Club. Bessie leaves four daughters Juanita Pettie of Marvell, Betty Jo Drennan of Lexa, Jerry VonKanel (Ervin) of Lexa, and Dianne Rymel (Randy) of Lonoke; 13 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren and two brothers, B.K. Smith (Mary Lou) of West Helena and Roy Smith (Deanna) of Crocket, Texas. She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband Raymond Morton, her second husband, Otto VonKanel, by three sisters and four brothers; three sons-in-law; Ervin Pettie, Bill Drennan and Ken Becker. Active Pallbearers will be Dewayne Pettie, Brian Pettie, Perry Pettie, Raymond Becker, Patrick Elrod, Dale Drennan, Donnie Wiggins and Eric Ryan, Honorary pallbearers are Glen VonKanel, Alan VonKanel and Randy VonKanel. Memorials can be made to the Cypert Church of Christ 2222 Hwy. 318, Marvell, Arkansas 72366 Services will be Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at the Twin City Church of Christ in West Helena at 2 p.m. with Brother Mark Spencer officiating. Visitation Monday from 6-8 p.m. at Roller-Citizens Funeral Home in West Helena. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park at Barton. View and sign online guest book www.rollerfuneralhomes.com.

Published November 22, 2011

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