Bessie Waggoner

Bessie Alice Waggoner, 94, of Atlantic, Iowa, passed away Thursday, October 2, 2008, at the Cass County Memorial Hospital.

Bessie Alice Alley was born on March 15, 1914, in Malvern, Iowa, the daughter of William H. and Malinda J. (Howard) Alley.

She attended Peaceville Country School in Malvern, Iowa.

Bessie was married to Raymond Bolton and together they had two children. She later married Carl Waggoner in Maryville, Missouri, and to this union six children were born.

She worked 22 years at the Cass County Memorial Hospital as a Certified Nurses' Aide.

In 1969, Bessie became a member of The Kingdom Hall of Jehovah Witnesses. She loved to share her beliefs with everyone who came near and also witnessed through letters and phone calls. Bessie was a master at crocheting and not a single member of her family is without one of her afghans. She loved nature and the outdoors and had quite a collection of "wildflowers" and rocks.

She always put her family first and was willing to lend a helping hand to all. The favorite and most welcoming place of her home was her kitchen, where family and friends gathered. The cookie jar was always full and served as a warm invitation for treats and coffee.

Bessie is survived by her children, Shirley Lockwood of Portland, Oregon, Raymond "Sonny" Bolton and his wife, Carol of San Diego, California, Carol Bailey and her husband, Donald of Bellevue, Nebraska, Pamela Snyder of Redmond, Washington, Theodore Waggoner and his wife, Kathy of Marne, Iowa, Franklin "Keith" Waggoner and his wife, Susan of Atlantic, Iowa; numerous grandchildren; her brother, Glen Alley of Lincoln, Nebraska; and many other family and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, William and Malinda Alley; her husband, Carl F. Waggoner; her daughter, Joyce Waggoner; her son Michael Waggoner; her brothers, John, Hazzard, Homer, Russell, Theodore and Sherman Alley; and her sisters, Rebecca, Bertha, Dovey and Mary.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, October 8, 2008, in the chapel at Hockenberry Family Care Funeral Home.

Burial will be in the Atlantic Cemetery in Atlantic, Iowa.

Visitation will be Tuesday, October 7, 2008, from noon to 8:00 p.m., with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., at Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic.