Pauline Bess

Pauline E. Bess, 90, of Cape Girardeau departed this life Tuesday, April 14, 2015, at Puxico Nursing Center in Puxico, Missouri.

She was born Aug. 3, 1924, in Advance, Missouri, daughter of Oma Nelson and Frank and Louella Gunter. She and Jack Bess were married May 30, 1942. He preceded her in death June 8, 2014.

Pauline graduated from Advance High School. She helped her husband in the Bess Grain Co. at harvest time. In her middle life, she started playing golf and rapidly improved her game, playing mostly in championship flights and very often winning. She and her husband spent most winters in Tampa, Florida. Pauline was a member of Lynwood Baptist Church.

She is survived by four grandchildren, Todd Bess of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, Cindy Martin and husband Randy of Puxico, Ashley Bess of St. Louis and Bami Parsons of Clearwater, Florida; and two great-grandchildren, Jarrett Martin of Puxico and Jacie Parsons of Clearwater.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Warren "Jerry" Bess.

Friends may call from 2 p.m. until service time Saturday at Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter, Missouri.

The funeral will be at 3 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Mark Anderson officiating. Interment will be in Dexter Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests all memorials be made to Southeast Missouri University Foundation, attention Greg Adkins, 1 University Plaza, MS 7300, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701. In the memo line of check, the donor needs to write, "Jack and Pauline Bess Scholarship."