Mrs. Bessie Mills Bane, 92, went home to be with her Lord on July 22, 2011. Visitation will be held at Nowell-Massey Funeral Home from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. with funeral services to follow at Nowell-Massey Chapel at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 24, 2011. Interment will follow in Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church Cemetery. Rev. Rank Boyte and Rev. Stacey Parvin will officiate. Pallbearers include Clinton Mills, Danny Mills, Michael Ingram, Troy Burroughs, Jerry Pearson and Larry Pearson.
Born on January 22, 1919, in Winston County, she was the daughter of the late Clinton Lane and Icy Dallas Mills. She was a 1937 graduate of Louisville High School. Her family sold a milk cow in order for her to continue her education and fulfill her dream of becoming a teacher. She received an associate’s degree from East Central Community College, a bachelor’s degree from University of Southern Mississippi, and a master’s degree from Mississippi State University. While attending East Central she was a member of the women’s basketball team and coached the Decatur High School girls’ team. She was a devoted teacher, coach, and principal in the Bond, Lobutcha, Ford, and Louisville school districts for 42 years. As per her request, two quilts stitched by her former students for classroom projects will be draped across her casket. One features the fifty states, while a bicentennial theme is appliquéd on the other.
She is preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Everett Bane, her parents, and her two brothers, Archie Mills and Leonard Mills. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Ricky and Darlene Bane, of Louisville. She was “Grandma Bessie” to E. J. Bane of Wiggins, MS, and Patrick Bane of Louisville, MS. Whether digging for fish bait in her flower garden, cooking their favorite meals, or being the pitcher on the mound for their front yard baseball game, she loved spending time with her two grandsons. She also leaves behind two sisters-in-law, Carolyn Mills of Louisville and Jane Lane of Carriere, MS.
Mrs. Bane was a member of Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church where she served as treasurer and adult Sunday School teacher for many years. She lived a simple life and enjoyed gardening and reading her Bible. She has been a resident of Lakeside Village at Noxapater, MS, for the past four years where she has received loving care from their compassionate staff.
Memorials may be made to Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church, c/o 10713 Hwy 14 West, Louisville, MS 39339 or to the charity of your choice.
