Madge Lucille (Agnew) Bess, 76
The daughter of Dorothy (Dew) and George Agnew in Indianapolis, Ind, she graduated from Arsenal Technical High School in Indianapolis in 1946 and relocated with her parents to Phoenix, Ariz. She met and married Billie J. Bess in Phoenix and they moved to McMinnville in 1988.
Mrs. Bess taught piano, organ and voice in Phoenix and McMinnville for many years and had many local students. She moved back to Arizona in 2002 after the death of her husband, Bill. She was residing with her son in Tucson at the time of her death. She was a devoted and loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and teacher.
Mrs. Bess is survived by her children; a son, Terry White of Tucson, Ariz; three daughters, Patricia (Ron) Williams of Globe, Ariz, Nancy (Dan) Fitzpatrick of Longwood, Fla., and Lori Henson of Apache Jct., Ariz; 7 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren (plus one on the way); a brother, Royce (Betty) Agnew of Colorado; a sister, Mary Alice (Larry) Curtis of Phoenix, Ariz; sister-in-law Juanita (Ray) Parker of McMinnville; brother-in-law Oliver (Jackie) Bess of McMinnville; nephew Billy Dean (Debbie) Bess of McMinnville; adopted god-daughter Treva (Joe) Pinegar of McMinnville and many other nieces, nephews and dear friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Jim Agnew, and beloved husband Billie J. Bess.
Services will be held today in Phoenix. Interment will be beside her mother, Dorothy Aldrich, in Phoenix. A small memorial service is being planned for later in McMinnville. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made in her name to the American Cancer Society or a local hospice.
Southern Standard
(McMinnville, Tenn.) May 18, 2005