Besse McFarland

Besse S. McFarland passed away peacefully on June 6, 2013. She was born on April 22, 1924 in Atlanta, Georgia, daughter of the late William R. and Bessie (Crusselle) Saye. Besse graduated from Decatur Girls High, Atlanta, and earned a BS in Chemistry and Biology from Georgia State College for Women in Milledgeville, GA. While taking post-graduate classes at Emory University, Atlanta, Bess met L. W. “Mac” McFarland, the love of her life. They were married Feb. 8, 1946 and moved to Jacksonville in 1954.

Bess taught kindergarten at Church of Our Savior, Mandarin and Science at DuPont Junior High for many years. After she retired from teaching, she enjoyed working in the Episcopal Bookstore, as an election poll worker and volunteering in the Nearly New Shop and at St. Luke’s Hospital. She enjoyed participating in “Joy Club” at Southside UMC, “Young at Hearts” at Holy Family Catholic Church and “Saints & Sinners” at All Saints. Bess was a faithful, longtime member of All Saints Episcopal Church.

She was predeceased by her husband, Mac; infant son, Paul, sister and brother-in-law, Evelyn and Ben Williams and son-in-law Patrick Brady.

She is survived by her daughter, Lynn McFarland Brady, brother-in-law, Wayne McFarland (Pamela), niece, Sharon Kirmeyer, nephews, Doug, Ben and David Williams and “adopted family” Deborah McLaughlin, Janna Hardy, Jean Frank, John Sandberg, Tom & Eileen Smith, Kimberly & Mike Miller and Frank and Francis Hill.

Bess was a sweet Southern Lady with a lively sense of humor and she will be greatly missed by many.

The family will receive friends for visitation on Wednesday, June 12, 2013 from 5 – 7 pm at Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home, 4115 Hendricks Ave., Jacksonville, FL 32207. The funeral service will be Thursday at 11:00 am at All Saints Episcopal Church, 4171 Hendricks Avenue. Fr. Christopher Martin will officiate. Burial will follow in Oaklawn Cemetery.

Donations may be made in Bess’ memory to the All Saints Episcopal Church Memorial Fund, Big Bend Hospice (Tallahassee) or the American Cancer Society.

Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.hardage-giddenshendricksave.com.

“Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.” (Prov. 31:28)