Bessie LeRae Towson

Bessie LeRae Stewart Towson, 97, of Jefferson City, Mo., and formerly of Columbia, Mo. and Mexico, Mo., passed away on Tuesday, October 2, 2012, at her home. She was born on August 20, 1915, in Mexico, Mo., to the late George Everett and Maude Mae Genrich Stewart. Bessie was a graduate of Mexico High School. In 1948, Bessie married William Marshall Towson of Mexico, Mo. Bessie was employed with the Missouri Highway Patrol in Jefferson City, Mo., and she served as the office manager for Baumgartner, Hubbell, and Gordon, M.D., Anesthesiologists, Inc. in Columbia, Mo. until her retirement. Bessie, an avid golfer, was a member of the Hough Park Ladies Golf Association in Jefferson City, Mo.; the Forest Hill Country Club, Columbia, Mo.; the Missouri United Methodist Church, Columbia, Mo.; past president of the Heimweg Garden Club; Historian for the Welcome Wagon Columbia Newcomers Club; A member of the Suzanne circle of the Women's Society for Christian Service of the Methodist Church; the Columbia Cosmopolitan Luncheon Club; Epsilon Sigma Alpha, International sorority in Columbia, Mo., and a recipient of the State President Award. Bessie and her husband Marshall were long-time supporters of Mizzou athletics, and season ticket holders for both football and basketball for many years. Bessie is survived by three sisters, Billie Joan Stewart Dawson, ImaJean Stewart, and Geraldine Stewart Cleeson. Bessie is survived by several nieces and nephews, who have affectionately called her "Aunt Sis", along with many relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Marshall, in 1974. Bessie was also preceded in death by her parents a brother, Everett Eugene Stewart and two sisters, Thelma Ruth Stewart Walter and Rosa Ellen Stewart. A visitation will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 6, 2012 at Memorial Funeral Home, with funeral ceremony to follow at 1:00 p.m. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery in Columbia, Mo. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice Compassus or St. Jude's Children's Hospital. Online tributes may be left at www.memorialfuneralhomeandcemetery.com