NATCHEZ – Services for Bessie Smith Conner, 93, of Natchez, who died Tuesday, June 3, 2008, at Natchez Community Hospital, will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Grove African Methodist Episcopal Church with the Rev. Lloyd Bailey officiating.
Burial will follow at the church cemetery under the direction of George F. West Funeral Home.
Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home and from 10 a.m. until service time Saturday at the church.
Mrs. Conner was born March 4, 1915, in Natchez, the daughter of John Smith and Mary Sidney Smith. She was a member of Grove African Methodist Episcopal Church where she served as a deaconess.
She was preceded in death by her parents; six brothers, Gus Smith, Aaron Smith, Sam Smith, Albert Smith, John Smith Jr., and Charlie Washington; four sisters, Chaney Blanton, Mary Carter, Elnora Davis and Nellie Jackson; two sons, Philip and James Conner; and two daughters, Orange Lee Banks and Annie Bell Conner.
Cherishing her memory are her eight loving children, Walter Conner and wife, Margie, both of LaPlace, La., Robert Conner and wife, Dorothy, and Willie Mae Eugene and husband, Anthony, all of New Orleans, Bessie Tyler and husband, Leroy, both of Harvey, La., Rosalie Anderson and husband, Robert, Isiah Conner, Joseph Conner and Pearlena Johnson and husband, Richard, all of Natchez; and a number of nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be Lionel Anderson, Thomas Chester, Sedric Minor, James Earl Banks, Romallis Minor and Leroy Tyler Jr.