BESSIE LEE ECHOLS

Bessie Lee Echols, age 87, of Albany Texas, passed away Friday afternoon Aug. 28, 2020.

She was born Feb. 19, 1933 in Shackelford County on a farm in between Albany and Moran to Margie and Newt Tabor.

Bessie was preceded in death by her first husband Billy Eugene Brush who was killed in an oilfield accident, then JC Echols known as “PaPa” who she was married to for 50 years. Bessie had two sisters Ruth McDonald and Ruby Jeanis and one brother, Newt Jr. Tabor.

 She was a member of First Baptist Church in Albany. She was a homemaker and loved cooking for family and friends. All the kids in Albany have known her as “Great Nanny” for all these years. 

She enjoyed playing and laughing with her grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. Bessie enjoyed fishing and always seemed to find her way by the person catching the most fish. 

She was a realist, not always easy to get along with, but you always knew what she was thinking. 

Even though she was a Baptist, dancing the Polka brought her so much joy, and she loved snuggling with her dog “Tooter.” 

Bessie is survived by one daughter, Diane and husband Lynn Wilkins of Albany; two grandsons and granddaughters-in-law, Shannon Wilkins and his wife Leslie, and James Wilkins and his wife Dana; 10 great grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews and extended family. 

The family would like to thank Bright Pointe Nursing Home, Hendrick Hospice Care, and Girdner Funeral Home for caring and loving on our Great Nanny for the past few months. 

A graveside service was held at the Albany Ceme-tery on Monday, Aug. 31. Bessie’s family served as pallbearers. PD