Bessie Mccotter

Bessie M. McCotter, age 86 of Battle Creek, passed away Thursday, April 24, 2014. Bessie was born May 17, 1927 in Albany, Georgia the daughter of Ralph M. and Helen Ida (McCormick) Allen. The family moved to Marshall, MI in 1929, then in 1934 moved to Battle Creek settling in Bellevue in 1937 where she graduated from Bellevue High School in 1944. She worked at Michigan Bell Telephone Company for 10 years, and then worked part time at Sears and Kelloggs prior to her retirement from Bill Knapps in 1987 after 24 years. On September 16, 1944 Bessie married her high school sweetheart, Leland McCotter who preceded her in death on October 6, 2006 after 62 years of marriage. She is survived by her daughters: Alice (Larry) McCotter-Gerken and Laurie (Bruce) Neff; sons: Gary (Bobette) McCotter, Joe (Karen) McCotter and Jeff (Lori) McCotter; eleven grandchildren: Tracy Seconi, Jennifer Johnson, Ben Leatherman, Amy Landers, Matthew Neff, Jeremy Neff, Greg McCotter, Jessica McCotter-Wynne, Courtney McCotter, Chloe McCotter and Andrew McCotter, and fourteen great-grandchildren. Bessie was always active at school, helping whenever asked and watching all her children’s programs they were involved in. She also loved painting with watercolors, playing golf, taking long walks, working in her garden and visiting with family and friends. Funeral services for Mrs. McCotter will be held 1:00 p.m. Tuesday at the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home with Rev. Eric Perry officiating. Interment will follow at Fort Custer National Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Monday from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Memorial contributions in Bessie’s name may be directed to The Alzheimer’s Association. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at The Reflections for the loving care given to Bessie. www.henryfuneralhome.org

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