Bessie married her high school sweetheart, Chester Winstead who preceded her in death. They were married for over 70 years.
She attended F. J. Reitz High School where she was a majorette and led the band for Daniel Wertz School down Franklin St. at the Fall Festival. Bessie was known for her energetic spirit and kind heart. She lived life to its fullest and never met a stranger. She was always telling stories and keeping everyone entertained. She was a spitfire and a real energizer bunny, to say the least. You could always find her dancing and listening to Elvis wherever she went. Bessie loved to listen to her grandson, Scott, sing “Shake, Rattle and Roll!” It wasn’t unusual for her to stop her car and get out and dance! For years, Bessie enjoyed working the elections where she would drive voters to the polls, hand out cards, and make phone calls to voters. She was looking forward to the upcoming 2022 Sherriff Election. She was planning on working the polls for Noah Robinson.
Bessie loved her family.
Bessie was preceded in death by her sister-in-law, Barbara Winstead; brothers-in-law, Roy and Robert Winstead; son-in-law, Donald Haller; and her mother and father in-law, Roy and Gladys (Buchanan) Winstead.
She is survived by her son, Tony (Debbie) Winstead; daughter, Paula Haller; grandson, Scott (Charlene) Winstead; granddaughters, Andrea (Haller) Hibbard and Lacy (Jeff) Bender; great-grandchildren, Cameron (Sydney) Winstead, Skyler (Kristen Winter) Winstead, Phoenix and Zoe Hibbard, Cora and Avery Bender; great-great granddaughter Cami Winstead; brother-in-law, Bill Winstead; and sister-in-law, Yvonne Winstead.
Funeral services will be held 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 13, 2022 at Alexander West Chapel, officiated by Pastor Terry Gamblin. Friends may visit Tuesday from 1:00 p.m. until service time at the funeral home.
Condolences may be offered at www.AlexanderWestChapel.com.
