Bessie Ruth Morris Richmond

Bessie Ruth Richmond, age 83, of Park Forest, IL, passed away Wednesday, October 15, 2014, in Martinsville, Virginia. Born in Bassett, VA, November 13, 1930, she was a daughter of the late Dennis and Cordie Campbell Morris.

After leaving Bassett, Bessie moved to Chicago where she was employed by Michael Reese Hospital as a receptionist for many years.

Preceding her in death were her sisters, Martha Cunningham, Mary E. Hairston, Madgline M, Hairston, and her brothers, Teafus, Raymond and Andrew Morris.

“Why is the rabbit’s tale short?” The rabbit and the train got into a race. The train ran over the rabbit’s tail. The rabbit said, “It won’t be long now!” Bessie loved to talk. She would greet you with a joke and that beautiful smile of hers.

She will be greatly missed by her son, Raymond Jeffrey Richmond (Joyce) of Hazel Crest, IL; two granddaughters, Emmali Richmond of Country Club Hills, IL, and Mia Richmond of Hazel Crest, IL, a step-granddaughter Kisha Crawford of Dekalb, IL, one great-grandchild, Cornelius Norwood, and a step great-grandchild, Morris Jones of DeKalb,IL. Bessie is also survived by a host of in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends.

The funeral service will be held at 1 P.M. Saturday, October 18, 2014, at Collins Funeral Home, Bassett, with Dr. Avery Preston officiating. The family will receive friends from 12 noon until 1 P.M. at the funeral home. Interment will follow in Carver Memorial Gardens, Martinsville.

Online condolences may be made at: www.collinmckeestonebassett.com.