Baker City, Baker County, Oregon
Bessie Attaway, 102, of Baker City, died Oct. 16, 2005, at St. Elizabeth Care Center.
Her memorial graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Mount Hope Cemetery. Pastor Lennie Spooner of the First Church of the Nazarene will officiate.
Bessie was born on Nov. 7, 1902, at Attica, Ind. She was the fourth of nine children born to James and Stella McCulley. As a young girl she moved with her family to Phoenix, Ariz. She spent most of her childhood and school years there.
Bessie met and married her high school sweetheart, Alford Attaway, at Phoenix. They were married 61 years. Their married life was spent in Southern California.
Bessie was known by her family and friends affectionately as “Grandma Bessie.” She loved knitting, crocheting, fishing, gardening and camping.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Al, who died in 1981 and was the last surviving sibling.
“We all will miss our Grandma Bessie. For almost 103 years she cared for all, without a complaint,” her family said.
Survivors include her son, Jim Attaway, and his wife, Connie, of Baker City; four grandchildren, Cathy Blankinship, Johnny Attaway, Susie Cassidy and Danny Attaway; six great-grandchildren and nine great-great grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Rachel Center through Gray’s West & Co., P.O. Box 726, Baker City, OR 97814.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, October 25, 2005
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor