Bessie Lorene Mcentire

Bessie Lorene Rogers McEntire was born in Walnut Ridge on October 19, 1922, to Willie and Dona Lynn Rogers.  She lived in Lawrence County until the early 1960s, then moved to Jonesboro, Arkansas where she resided for the remainder of her life.  Her last 9 years were spent at Ridgecrest Nursing and Rehabilitation Center as a resident.

Bessie married the love of her life, Cecil Bennett McEntire on April 15, 1946.  They were married for 55 years, until he passed into Heaven on October 3, 2001.  Her parents preceded her death, twin sister Essie Chadister, older sisters Virgie Kidd and Esther Ballard, infant sisters Vivian and Iola Rogers, and a younger brother, Floyd Rogers, several nieces, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

She is survived by her daughter, Lesa Dacus of Jonesboro, grandchildren Lauren (Thurel) George of Jonesboro and Cooper (Rachel) Dacus of Bay, great-grandchildren Jaxon and Irie George, Stella and Addie Dacus. Nieces Dian Lawrence, Janet (Rick) Ramsey, and Cheryl Davis. Great-nieces Renee Benton, Roxann (Ken) Kenner, Sandy Blazer; and great nephew, Nathan Benton. A special friend who was like a sister, Elsie Foster, who was her roommate for almost 8 years at Ridgecrest.

Bessie loved the Lord and constantly shared her faith with anyone who would listen.  She attended Grace Missionary Baptist Church upon moving to Jonesboro and in 1980 moved to North Main Baptist Church.  Her husband, Cecil, was a deacon and she served beside him doing anything that was needed in the church, especially visiting others and cooking a church-wide meal. In 2013, she fell at a church luncheon, breaking her leg, and has been in the nursing home since that time.  The one thing that she missed the most was being able to attend her church.  Thankfully, there were a few churches over the past 11 years that would come minister to the residents at the nursing home.  She always counted down the days when church services were held on Wednesday or Sunday.

The family was at the top of her list! Bessie and Cecil adopted Lesa only three days after she was born in 1966.  They had longed for a child and God blessed them with her.  Bessie called Lesa at least once a day, often more, and always looked forward to her daily visits. As mothers do, Bessie still worried about her “baby” and was saddened most by the fact that she would have to leave Lesa behind here on Earth.  She also loved visiting with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  This past Tuesday Bessie asked all her family to visit her because she wanted to spend time with everyone all together before she left this Earth.

After returning to the nursing home last month after a brief hospital stay, Bessie told the Lord she was tired and ready to come home.  She said that HE had come to her and told her that HE was ready whenever she was ready.  Bessie began telling everyone she encountered that God was calling her home and she was happy to be going to Heaven soon.  None of us knew the time or place, but God did.  On Friday, August 23, 2024, Bessie went to St. Bernard’s Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House to spend her last days.  She took her last breath on this Earth at 12:37 p.m. on Sunday, August 25, 2024. Her eyesight was restored, and her body was made whole again as she joined Our Father in Heaven, Jesus, the angels, her loving husband, and family members and friends who are already in Heaven.

A special ‘thank you’ from the family to the staff at Ridgecrest who took care of Bessie and cared for her as if she were their own family, Dr. Brannon Treece who has been her family physician since his first days of practice in Jonesboro, Elite Hospice, and the amazing staff at Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House who provided constant care for Bessie and support for the family from Friday night around until she passed on Sunday.

Graveside will be private.