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Bessie Mae (Price) Washington, 80, a loving and devoted mother, aunt, sister and friend, went to be with our Lord, after overcoming several health complications. "Ms. Bessie," as she was affectionately known, peacefully surrendered her fight on May 21, 2018. She lived a life full of love and laughter, never meeting a stranger.
Born in Pawnee, OK on November 2, 1937 to Ervin Price Sr and Hattie Orenza (Freow), the third girl of 12 children, she had a wonderful childhood, growing up in the country with loving parents and a church-going family. Baptized at an early age at Antioch Baptist Church in Pawnee, she learned to lean on her faith through every trial in life.
A 1956 graduate of Attucks High School in Ponca City, Bessie was a majorette on the top high school band in Oklahoma, as well as the secretary of the Student Council and studied cosmetology with hopes to become a nurse. Bessie had a long career, working as a PBX Operator at Conoco Oil Refinery in Ponca City for 14 years until moving to Tulsa where she retired a from American Airlines as a Parts Clerk in 2003.
On March 27, 1965 she married George Washington, Jr, a sharp-dressing barber and in 1966, they added a daughter, Cassandra, to their union. She divorced in December 1974 but never remarried. Bessie focused instead on taking care of her family, from helping her aging parents, raising her daughter, and caring for her brothers and sisters when they needed her most.
She had a very special bond with her daughter – she was mother, best friend, confidant, protector, and always supporting Cassandra's hopes and dreams in whatever way she could. Bessie also received immense joy from spending time with family, entertaining and sharing good times with friends. She was the glue of the family – searching for and locating her brother Ralph after 30 years, playing foster mom to seven children, and being there for anyone on her or her husband's side of the family when help was needed. Her delicious home-cooked meals were the highlight of many family functions, holidays, or anytime folks gathered around her. She gladly welcomed everyone.
Her parents, Ervin Sr, and Hattie, preceded her in death as did her husband, George Jr, and siblings, brothers, Ervin Jr., Ralph, William and Robert; sisters, Esther Ruth Hill, Hattie Louise Duncan and Connie Price, twin siblings who died at birth, and her beloved four-legged grand-dog, Oreo.
She is survived by her daughter, Cassandra Washington of Cedar Hill, TX; her sister, Dorothy Reed McFarlin of Tulsa, OK and her brother, Willie Price of Wylie, TX, as well as a host of nieces and nephews, cousins, and dear friends whom she loved deeply.
A funeral service will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 26, 2018 at Grace Memorial Chapel. Pastor Ron Overton of Connection Church Tulsa, OK will officiate.
Ms. Washington will be available for viewing on Friday, May 25th from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. with wake and family visitation from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Online condolences can be written at www.gracememorialchapel.net
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