Bessie Odessa Casey

Bessie O. Casey, 94, died Wednesday, July 1, 2009, at an Abilene nursing center. The daughter of Mary (Self) and Charlie Fisher, Bessie was born on the Fisher family home place in Comanche County, Texas on February 1, 1915. She attended school in Morton Valley and her family later moved to Breckenridge where she met and married R. B. Casey on February 17, 1935. Mrs. Casey was a homemaker. Bessie followed R.B. where jobs and the military took him. During World War II she drove from Texas to Spokane, WA with her small son. They moved from Chillicothe to Abilene in 1954 where they settled and raised their children. Family was most important to Bessie. She was a loving daughter and sister. Her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren meant the world to her. She was seemingly frail, but was a strong and determined lady until her death. Bessie was a longtime member of Caps Baptist Church, where she taught children's Sunday School and she and R. B. helped sponsor many youth activities. She was predeceased by her parents; her husband; two brothers, Jerry Fisher and Aaron Fisher; and one sister, Velma Fulfer. Mrs. Casey is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Judy and Dan Echols of Abilene; son and daughter-in-law, Charles and Becky Casey, of Abilene; grandchildren, Michelle and Kevin Hanna, John Paul Snapp, Allan and Nikki Casey, Jacinda and Scott Young, and Chris and Angela Hicks; five great-grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; and ten step-great-grandchildren. Survivors also include a brother, C. L. Fisher and wife, Nita, of Lubbock, a sister, Eulala Bufkin of Moore, Oklahoma, and several nieces, nephews and cousins. The funeral service will be 2:00 p.m. today at The Hamil Family Funeral Home Chapel, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene, officiating by Rev. Larry Millican and John Paul Snapp. Interment will follow in Elmwood Memorial Park. Her grandchildren and their spouses will serve as pallbearers. Memorials may be made to Hendrick Hospice Care, 1682 Hickory, Abilene, TX 79601, or West Texas Rehabilitation Center, 4601 Hartford, Abilene, TX 79605.