Submitted by: Dan Rich

Bessie Lucille Basham

Jan. 18, 1916 - April 29, 1997

South Bend Tribune 5/1/1997

Bessie Lucille Basham, 81, residing in Lakeville, Ind., passed away on Tuesday morning, April 29, in the arms of her loving husband, Leroy Basham. She was born on Jan. 18, 1916, in White Plains, Ky., to Ina and Browning Brothers, both of whom preceded her in death. In going home, Bessie will also be reunited with her son, Wayne Lee Basham; a sister, Eulah Belle Prowse; and with a brother, Raymond Brothers.

In Hopkinsville, Ky., on Aug. 3, 1935, she married her first love, Leroy Basham. In passing, she leaves behind a devoted, caring family of two daughters and sons-in-law, Karen and Dennis Bettcher of Lakeville, Sherry and Ed Stump of South Bend; eight grandchildren along with their spouses, Tonya and Chic Stanley, Bud and Sue Bettcher, Mike and Patti Bettcher, Rodney and Cindy Bettcher, Dawn Bettcher, Jamie Bettcher, all of Lakeville, David and Michelle Stump, and Brett and Mel Stump, all of Missouri; 18 great-grandchildren; a sister, Beulah Lee Fox of Nortonville, Ky.; a brother, Bailey Brothers of White Plains, Ky., and by many extended family members and dear friends. Mrs. Basham was a lifelong resident of Lakeville and attended the Cornerstone Community Fellowship Church in LaPaz, Ind.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday at the Palmer Funeral Home, 314 S. Michigan Street, Lakeville, with the Rev. Steve Cox officiating. Burial will follow in Fair Cemetery, North Liberty, Ind. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. today in the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.