Bessie Aliene Ramsey, 89, of Lake Dallas, died Wednesday January 7, 2009 at Denton Regional Medical Center.

She was born June 18, 1919 in Estelle, TX to John and Addie Lou (Renfrow) Powers. She graduated from Irving High School. She married her childhood sweetheart, S.T. �Tom� Ramsey on April 17, 1938 in Estelle, TX. Bessie and Tom were both pioneer families of the Estelle and Sowers communities. Bessie and Tom owned the Sowers Grocery in Sowers, TX for over 37 years. After retirement in 1982, they moved to their farm in Mt. Vernon. �Mema� moved to Lake Dallas to live with her daughter, Pat, in 2000. She was a founding member and historical consultant for the Estelle Heritage Society and a member of the First Baptist Church in Mt. Vernon.

A funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm Friday January 9, 2009 at the Lake Shore Baptist Church, Lake Dallas. Rev. Pepper Puryear will officiate the service. Interment will follow at 3:00 pm in the Sowers Cemetery, Irving. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm Thursday January 8 at the Mulkey-Mason, Jack Schmitz and Son Funeral Home.

Bessie is survived by her daughter, Patty Ramsey of Lake Dallas; son, Tom Ramsey and his wife, Gretchen of Corinth; three grandsons, Derek Ramsey and his wife, Heather of Corinth, Major George Ramsey, USMC, stationed in Pensacola, FL, Kelly Ramsey and his wife, Dawn of Irving; great grandson, Cole Ramsey of Corinth; a Sister, Ruby McCord, of Grapevine,  also numerous Powers and Ramsey family members. She was preceded in death by her husband, Tom Ramsey; sisters, Annie Baze, Ona Harrington; brothers, John Powers, J.D. Powers, Jess Powers.

Known as �Mema� to all that loved her, the family was her pride and joy. She had a wonderful outlook on life and was deeply involved in her faith in God. �Mema� was very proud of her family and especially the grandsons, Derek, George and Kelly, and the one and only great grandson, Cole.