Bessie Jane Dial Rich

Bessie Jane Dial Rich passed away on August 29, 2017. She was born in Pampa, TX on September 12, 1915, daughter of James Laffette Richardson and Mettie Lee Ballard Richardson of Friona, TX. Bessie was the 9th child and survived all her 11 brothers and sisters. She was married to Byron S. Dial in 1936. They are survived by three daughters, Shirley J. Harris, Eleanor F. Fenley and Barbara A. Kapela and husband, Frank; grandchildren, Jan Carlton and husband, Bob, Shary Powell and husband, Bruce, Catherine Smith, George Ward Fenley, III, Kenny Kapela, and Jeff Kapela and wife, Silke; great-grandchildren, Bobby Allan and wife, Sarah, Renee, Brianne, Lauren, David, Kira, Logan, Austin, Trumann, Shawna, Ashley, and Jasmine; great-great-grandchildren, Grant, Ruby, Owen, Jordan, Christian and Sylvie.

Bessie and Byron Dial were members of First Baptist Church for almost 50 years. Byron Dial preceded her in death on April 4, 1977. Bessie married Rev. C. Paul Rich of Albuquerque in 1989 and they were members of First Baptist Church. In recent years Bessie moved her membership to the Highland Baptist Church.

Bessie was active in the Order of Eastern Star, San Marcial Chapter 34 and served several years as Chaplain and many were amazed that she was able to recite three long prayers by memory when she was 94 years old. She was a volunteer at Lovelace Hospital for 20 years.

A favorite scripture is found in Proverbs Chapter 3, verses 5 and 6. “Trust in the Lord with all thy heart, and lean not to thine own understanding, in all thy ways acknowledge Him and He will direct thy path.”

Philippians 4-13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Services will be held on Thursday, August 31, 2017, 1:30 p.m., at FRENCH – University. Interment will follow at Fairview Memorial Park, 700 Yale Blvd. SE. Please visit our online guestbook for Bessie at www.FrenchFunerals.com.