Bessie Lents

Louise centered her life around her family, raising four children of her own and helping to raise both grandchildren and great grandchildren. She rarely said no to watching a child and was often the chauffeur taking a grandchild to baseball practice or doctor appointments or picking them up from school. She never had a problem doing the opposite of what a parent said in order to provide a grandchild with what he/she wanted. She loved fishing and going on vacation with her family and tagging along on shopping trips.

No one ever went hungry when visiting because she always had fried chicken, and farm fresh vegetables on the stove or a pot of freshly shelled peas with ham and, of course, there was either corn bread or biscuits to go with it. Many times a visit to her house resulted in helping her shuck corn and shell peas, especially just before a family get together.

Every holiday her house was the place to be. The entire family came together to eat, talk, play and enjoy being together. Christmas was especially memorable as gifts and wrapping paper flew all around the living room. And Louise would spend the days leading up to Christmas baking her beloved fruit cake and cookies. Her favorite holidays were those that included a new baby.

Each new baby born into the family brought her such joy. We were so blessed to have her in our lives for four generations and we will miss her until we are reunited on the other side.

Louise was preceded in death by her husband Elta Ray Lents, son Buford Ray Lents, granddaughter Mandi Marie Lents, brother Howard, sisters Qudell, Catherine, and Irma, and son in-law Jesse Bohannon. She is survived by three children Gloria, Brenda (Gary) and Roger (Rhonda),eight grandchildren and their spouses, fifteen great grandchildren, eighteen great great grandchildren and sisters Opal and Monteen.