Bessie Mae Cantrell

Bessie Mae Lemley Cantrell, age 85, of Dahlonega, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Thursday, April 15, 2021. Bessie was a devoted and loving wife to her husband, Hoyt, for 71 years, as well as a loving mother and grandmother. She was a hard worker, working for North Georgia College for 28 years. She loved her interactions with young people at the school. She particularly enjoyed cooking for her family, it's been said that she loved everything, but if you could only pick one thing it would have been her family. She will be sorely missed by all who knew her.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Virgil and Eller Chambers Lemley; twin brother, Jeffie Lemley; sisters, Louise Eller, Irene Collier, Fannie Patterson, Geraldine Moore; brother Pete Lemley; and grandchildren, Christian Witcher and Roxanna Aders,

She is survived by her husband, Hoyt Gene Cantrell; son, Clarence (Patsy) Cantrell; daughter, Deborah (Melvin) Anderson; grandchildren, Stacie (Rodney) Waters, Christina (Robert) Cox, Shawn (Robin) Wells, Kenny (Candace) Wells, Whitney (Jamie) White; great-grandchildren, Stacia (Brent) Pierce, Cody (Holly) Witcher, Clay (Hope) Witcher, Derek Cox, Ethan Cox, Michael Rider, Colton (Ashley) Wells, Dalton Wells, Dustin Wells, Brenleigh White, Bennett White, Kolby Waters; great-great-grandchildren, Lexi Pierce, Summer Pierce, Wyatt Wells; great-great-great-grandchild, Tucker Clarence Witcher, and sisters, Leila (Weldon) Reece and Annie Pinion, as well as very special family friends, Greg and Janetta Cline.

The family will receive friends at Dahlonega Funeral Home on Friday, April 16, 2021, from 4 PM to 8 PM and on Saturday, April 17, 2021, from 10 AM to 2 PM. A funeral service will follow in the funeral home chapel with interment at Dahlonega Memorial Park Cemetery. Rev. Tony Allison will officiate.