Bernice Bess

JACKSON, Mo. -- Bernice Bess, 73, of Jackson died Monday, July 8, 2002, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

She was born Jan. 18, 1929, in Advance, Mo., daughter of Herman and Tessie Copman Ausman. She and Clifton Harold Bess were married Sept. 12, 1953. He died May 4, 1996.

Bess attended schools at Brownwood, Advance, Delta and Cape Girardeau. She had worked at Florsheim Shoe Co. and Lowenbaum Dress Factory in Cape Girardeau, and at Eli Walker in Scott City, Mo. She and her husband owned the Kuriosity Corner in Cape Girardeau, and later Bess Antiques at Fruitland, Mo., until 1985.

Survivors include a son, Wesley Kinder of Jackson; two brothers, William "Sonny" Estes of Gordonville, Mo., Carl "Bubby" Estes of Chaffee, Mo.; two sisters, Hazel Reams and Shirley Howard of Chaffee; four grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

Friends may call at Cracraft-Miller Funeral Home after 9 a.m. Thursday.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Charles Tennison officiating. Burial will be in Morgan Memorial Park in Advance.