Bessie Wadle

Bessie Fay Lively Wadle, 80, beloved Wife, Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother died on September 1, 2017 in Katy, Texas. Bessie was born in Teague, Texas on September 17, 1936 to James P. Lively and Lorandus (French) Lively. Bessie graduated from Mexia High School where she was elected to the National Honor Society, graduating in 1955 at age 18. She had no interest in a BS or BA, but was very interested in an MRS which she attained one week later on June 3, 1955 by marrying Larry Wadle and remained his wife for 62 years until her death. Bessie and Larry were high school sweethearts for several years prior to marriage. They both worked while Larry finished his Junior and Senior years at The University of Texas at Austin. Their first child, Lanny, was born in August 1957 as Larry finished college. She then became a full-time Mother and Homemaker for life, in which she excelled. Sherry was born in Mexia, Texas in January 1959; Michelle in June 1960 and Kelly in August 1961, both in Houston, when Bessie accomplished her goal of having 4 children. After college, they moved to Los Angeles, California and only lived there for 6 months before they moved to Houston in August 1958. After 8 years in Houston, they moved to New Jersey for 3 years and then back to Houston. In 1980, they moved to London, England for 3 years and, again back to the Houston/Katy area until now. She loved living in different cities and loved to travel. Bessie and her whole family traveled in 48 states and she and Larry also visited 80 countries and all 7 continents. Bessie was preceded in death by her father, mother and granddaughter Maura Wadle. She is survived by her husband Larry, her son Lanny and wife Jaye Jaye; daughter Sherry Parsons; daughter Michelle Evans and husband Ken; and Kelly Davis and husband Bob; 7 grandchildren Crystal Evans; L. C. Wadle; Kenny Evans and wife Sally and great granddaughter Kate; John Wadle; Maureen Davis; Payton Parsons and wife Amber; and Paul Parsons. She is survived by 3 sisters Opal Partch, Ruby Masters, Jessie Yarbrough and one brother James Ray Lively, and several nieces, nephews, cousins and aunts. Bessie had 3 goals in life: to love and help her husband in any way possible; to love and raise her children and give of herself to them in any way needed; and take nothing for herself. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Mexia since childhood. Although ill and in extreme pain for the last 10 years of her life, she hid it from view as best she could. She is now pain free and in the hands of the Lord. The family received friends and relatives from 5 pm until 8 pm on Friday, September 8, at Katy Funeral Home, 23350 Kingsland Blvd, Katy, TX 77494. Funeral services will be held on Friday, September 15, at 2 pm at the First Baptist Church, 500 E. Carthage Street, Mexia, TX 76667. Pallbearers will be grandchildren L. C. Wadle, Kenny Evans, John Wadle, Payton Parsons, Paul Parsons and son-in-law Ken Evans. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, P.O. Box 4464, Houston, TX 77210-4464.