Bessie Luciel Taylor

Bessie Luciel Taylor, 99 of Odessa, passed away on Sunday, May 15, 2022, just four days shy of her 100th birthday.  Family visitation will begin at 6:00 pm on Friday, May 20, 2022, at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory in Midland.  A graveside service will be held at 10:00 am Saturday, May 21, 2022, at Trinity Memorial Park Cemetery in Big Spring.

Bessie was born on May 19, 1922, in Seminole, OK to Rebbecca Clementine and Paris Lee West.  She was one of twelve children and the smallest of a set of twins.  She weighed only 2.5 lbs.  She grew up and attended school in Seminole.  She met her husband Elmo at an outdoor revival and went on to have two daughters, Rebbecca and Tena.

With only an eighth-grade education, Bessie made a career in the food service industry.  She worked as a waitress and spent 39 years serving customers at Herman’s Restaurant in Big Spring.  She retired at the age of 78.

After retiring, she spent many hours crocheting beautiful baby blankets filled with love.  She donated some to the Ector County Library Children’s Department for their newborn patrons and she gifted many more to newborns that came into her circle.  After all, “every baby needs their own little blanket”.

Bessie was well-loved by her family, friends, and neighbors.  Her sweet nature extended to everyone from her cafe patrons to the gentleman who cut her yard and the doctors that treated her illnesses.  To her, they were all just people.  She will be sorely missed.

Bessie is survived by her daughter, Rebbecca; granddaughter, Christena (Montana); and great-granddaughters, Addison and Londyn.

She was preceded in death by her parents; siblings; daughter, Tena; and grandson, Timothy.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory in Midland.  Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.

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