Bessie B. Caley, age 98, of Roanoke, passed away Friday, October 12, 2018, at 1:20 pm at her daughter’s home in Fort Myers, Florida. She graduated from Roanoke High School in 1938, and worked as a winder at Coil Engineering and then as an inspector at Economy Engineering Products for 25 years. Bessie was a lifelong member of First Brethren Church, where she taught Bible School, was a member of WMS, a Deaconess, baked bread for communion and laundered the communion towels, and was in charge of decorating and organizing the making of apple dumplings. She was dedicated in reading through the Bible each year, and enjoyed knitting and gardening.
Bessie was born April 8, 1920, in Jackson Township, the daughter of James and Zola (Zent) Williams. On October 10, 1940, she married her husband Robert Frederick Caley in Roanoke. He passed away May 1, 1977. She is survived by 3 daughters Cheryl (Harry) White of Fort Myers, Florida, Jan (Monte) Emley of Ft. Myers, and Cathy Jo Smith of Columbus, 6 grandchildren Harry (Tracy) White Jr. of Princeton, Texas, Stephanie (Bob) Ura of Lathia, Florida, Chris (JoAnn) White of Granger, Mick (Carrie) Emley of Guilford, Ben (Melissa) Emley of Fort Wayne, and Megan Schmalzried of Hong Kong, 12 great- grandchildren and 2 brothers James (Betty) Williams of Roanoke and Dick (Norma) Williams of Fort Wayne. She was preceded in death by 3 brothers Paul, Virgil, and Delmer Williams and a sister Betty Corwin.
Visitation will be held Friday October 19 from 9-11 am at Roanoke Memorial Chapel of Deal-Rice Funeral Homes preceding the 11:00 am funeral service. Pastor Ron Burns will officiate. Burial will follow in Glenwood Cemetery.
Preferred memorials are to Roanoke Brethren Church c/o Roanoke Memorial Chapel, 240 Crestwood Dr., Roanoke, IN 46783.