Bessie Lee Smith was born on June 18, 1938, in McComb, MS, to Robert Lee Bell and Ella Lee (Sanders) Bell. She attended school in Magnolia. In high school, she was a very talented basketball star. She was well known and was the best ball player in the state of Mississippi. Her basketball skills were like non-other during her time. She was simply AMAZING to watch on the court. For years after leaving the game, her name was still being discussed as SIMPLY THE BEST! She accepted Christ at an early age at New Home Baptist in Magnolia, MS. While Bessie and her husband lived in New Orleans for many, many years, they were forced to leave their home because of catastrophic aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. They made their new home in Baton Rouge, LA. Bessie always wanted to move "back home" to New Orleans. Bessie loved her family and enjoyed family gatherings, especially the holidays when everyone would get together. She loved playing cards and loved to cook. A typical Friday consisted of a fish fry or crawfish boil and a fun game of pitty pat with family and friends. She made the best gumbo and praline candy in the whole world. She was preceded in death by her loved ones: Willard Smith Sr., the love of her life, father, Robert Lee Bell; mother, Ella Lee (Sanders) Bell; brothers, Robert Luther, TJ, LJ, Clarence, and Dennis (Bessie's brother James is still missing as a result of Hurricance Katrina); sisters, Mildred and Gertie Bell; and grandson. Al Smith, Jr. She leaves to cherish memories; children, Kenneth Bell, Patricia Warner (Andre), Willard Smith (Lee Esther), Betty Smith, Pearl Smith,Frederick Smith (Marlon), and Shelia Smith; grandchildren, Andrea Benton, Judy Smith, Alisa Fleming, Kenyotta Smith, Lakeisha Morgan, Angelica Warner, Bernice Fleming, Angeline Warner, Willie Irvin Smith, Junica Fleming, Wilishs Fleiming, Felisha Fleming, Andre Warner, Jr. Jami SMith, Tamine Richardson and Alexis Smith; and a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Bessie Lee Smith, please visit our floral store.