Bessie Marie Tapley, 94, of New Castle, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, July 1, 2022 at IU Health Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis following a brief illness.
She was born on April 14, 1928, in Albany, Kentucky, a daughter of the late William “Bill” Lee and Myrtle (Means) Griffin.
Bessie was a long-time member of South Side Nazarene Church. She was known as one of the most understanding, kind, gentle, and non-judgmental Christian ladies who never said a hurtful thing about anyone. Bessie worked at Firestone and a local clothing company.
She enjoyed traveling with her husband and wintering in South Daytona, Florida. She loved Christmas and worked at a hotel in Florida for her “Christmas Money”.
Those left to cherish Bessie’s memory include a daughter, Kathy (James “Bud”) Cowan of Mooreland; a step-daughter, Rhonda Tapley Swejkar of New Castle; grandchildren, Julie Hoskins, Dustin Cowan, Kindra Swejkar Lee, Keli Swejkar, Beth Tapley, Dr. Charles Tapley, Paul Tapley Jr., and John Bradley Tapley; eight great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Coleen Cross of Muldraugh, KY, and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Willie Allen Brown in 1971; her second husband, Estel “Bill” Tapley in 1991; a stepson, Paul Tapley; four sisters, Vinnie Murray, Ruby Curtis, Jessie Griffin, and Ginny Cross; five brothers, John, Wendell, Willie, Joe, and James Griffin, and a half-brother, Dewey Willian.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm Tuesday, July 5, 2022 at Sproles Family Funeral Home with Pastor Randy Tooley officiating. Burial will follow at South Mound Cemetery.
Friends may call from 11:00 am until the time of service Tuesday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be offered to the St. Jude’s Children Hospital by Clicking Here
You may offer the family a personal condolence at www.sprolesfamilycares.com.
The Sproles family and staff are honored to serve the family of Bessie Marie Tapley.