Bessie Neal

Bessie "Nannie" Standefer Neal, 88, of Hixson, went home to be with Jesus on Friday, Jan. 16, 2015. She was born in Pikeville, Tenn., to the late Thomas and Flora Edmons, but Bessie was a longtime resident of the Chattanooga area. She was a member of Middle Valley Baptist Church and the Hamilton County Republican Womens Club. She will always be remembered for her love of flowers, gardening, her fish pond and the family gatherings. She was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Raymond D. Standefer, and her sister, Vergia Boynton. Bessie is survived by her husband of eight years, Mike Neal; children; Ronald (Betty) Standefer, Sharon (Randy) Liendecker and Ray (Kathy) Standefer; stepchildren, Diane Loyd, Marlene Moore, Glenna Vines and Terry (Gail) Neal; grandchildren, Tommy (Stephanie) Standefer, Jenny (Jeff) Miller, Kristy (Charles) Tucker, Paul (Courtney) Standefer, Candyce (Mickey) Rector and Kevin (Nicole) Liendecker; nine step-grandchildren; brother, Louis Edmons; many great-grandchildren, step-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. The family will receive friends from 2-4 p.m. and 6 -8 p.m. on Sunday and 1-3 p.m. on Monday at the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home. A celebration of life service for "Nannie" will follow at 3 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home chapel with Pastor David Stancil and Pastor Jim Hensley officiating. Burial will follow in Hamilton Memorial Gardens. Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson. Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com.