Palestine High School Alumni Association

04 / 16 / 1912  –  08 / 15 / 2007

Graveside services and interment for Bessie L. Cely, 95, of Tyler are scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday at Olive Branch Cemetery in Brushy Creek community near Frankston, with the Rev. Lynn Wilhite officiating. Burial is under the direction of Lloyd James Funeral Home.

She passed away Wednesday, August 15 at Hospice in Tyler.

Mrs. Cely was born to the late Samuel I. and Mary Agnes Stripling Liles April 16,1912 in Athens.

She lived in Fairfield most of her life but lived in Emerald Bay the last several years.

Mrs. Cely was a homemaker, a member of the Emerald Bay Community Church, the Singles Group at Emerald Bay Club and an avid bridge player. She came from a large family, being the oldest of seven children.

Mrs. Cely was a great mother and awesome grandmother and was loved by everyone.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Cely; and son, Samuel Cely.

She is survived by a granddaughter, Sara Lee Cely of Brooklyn, N.Y.; a grandson, Jack Cely of Denton; great-grandsons, Jack Cleveland Cely and Billy Marshall Cely, both of Denton; brothers, Ken Liles and David Liles, both of Emerald Bay; and sister, Pat Ritchey of Tyler.

If desired, memorials may be made to Emerald Bay Church, 160 LaSalle Drive, Bullard, Texas, or Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Boulevard, Tyler, Texas 75701.

Source: Palestine Herald-Press 08-17-2007