Bessie Burell, 95, of Childersburg, Alabama, passed away on February 26, 2026, at 7:16 pm. Born April 30, 1930, Bessie was generous and kind-hearted, and her life reflected a steady devotion to faith, family, and service to others.
Bessie grew up in The Alabama Baptist Children's Home in Troy, Alabama from 1941 until 1949. In 1942, she made her profession of faith in her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She graduated from Troy High School and attended Livingston College. She married John Franklin Burell of Lineville, Alabama, in 1951. They moved to Childersburg, where they raised their family. She was the Alabama Baptist Children's Home “Alumnus of the Year” in 2018.
Bessie was a Proverbs 31 wife and mother, whose love and charity extended to all she knew and loved. She was a longtime member of Marble City Baptist. She has been a Children's Sunday School teacher, women's Bible study leader, and a prayer warrior.
Bessie was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, John Franklin Burell; her son, Stan Burell; and her parents, Mark and Minnie Lee Lackey.
She is survived by her sons, Lemuel Burell (Janice) and Ashley Burell (Kyla Keck); her grandchildren, Corey Burell (Katie), Kevin Burell (Jaime), Channing Burell (Heather), AK Burell, and step-granddaughter Rebekah Cossaboom (Parker); nine great grandchildren; her nieces, Libby McClendon and Julie Hatchett; and numerous great nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, at Marble City Baptist Church, 1512 Quarry Road, Sylacauga, Alabama 35151, on March 3, 2026, from 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm. The funeral service will follow at Marble City Baptist Church on March 3, 2026, at 2:00 pm. Bro. Mac McCaleb will officiate the service.
Interment will be at Evergreen Memorial Cemetery, 1501 Talladega Highway, Sylacauga.
Pallbearers will be Corey Burell, Channing Burell, Kevin Burell, Coy Jordan, Jacob Jordan, and Rafe Jordan.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Alabama Baptist Children's Homes, 2681 Rocky Ridge Ln, Birmingham, Alabama 35216, US, or online at https://www.alabamachild.org/give.
Memorial messages may be sent to the family at www.dignitymemorial.com/funeral-homes/sylacauga-al/radney-smith-funeral-home/8516.
Radney-Smith Funeral Home in Sylacauga, AL will direct the services.
