Bessie Winifred Stovall H. K. Grizzle Lewis

Bessie Winifred Grizzle Lewis died just before sunrise on Wednesday, May 1, 2013 at Solterra Senior Living in Lakeside, Navajo County, Arizona following a lengthy illness. She was 92 years old. Bessie was born in Lemoore, Kings County, California to her parents, the late George Macy and Edna Jenie (Stovall) Artist. At the tender of age of 6, Bessie's parents fell victims to a senseless act and were killed. Later, Bessie was blessed to be reared by her aunt and uncle, Albert C. and Minnie LeEtta Stovall who legally adopted her a few years following her natural parents' deaths. Albert and Minnie loved Bessie so very much and she always appreciated the genuine love and kindness she received from them. She truly considered herself blessed to have an aunt and uncle that she could literally call "Mom and Dad" during the most tender and difficult moments of her young life. She never forgot her roots and she never forgot those who loved and cared for her as their own. In 1937, Bessie graduated from Fullerton High School in Fullerton, California. Following her graduation, Bessie married her first husband, Floyd Hornback. They moved to Canada where Bessie attended the Prairie Bible Institute. As the second year came around, Bessie and Floyd moved back to California. During this time, Bessie worked as a model and was a very good one. She was very smart with her money and never squandered her pennies on frivolous things. She knew how to save for the future. In the early 1940's, Bessie moved to Prescott and found a job working at a trading post and specialized as selling the jewelry for the post. A genuinely kind people person, everyone simply loved her and the way she made them feel. Shortly after the death of her adopted parents, the Stovalls, Bessie was able to purchase some land in Sedona, Arizona in the late 1940's and designed and built a service station. She owned and operated that service station, herself, for many, many years. At the time of her death she still owned the station and many in the Sedona area will miss her sweet smile. After her first marriage ended in divorce, Bessie found love again with Mr. Kauzlarich. He was in the cattle industry and Bessie enjoyed working with him on their ranch during the spring and summer rounds-ups as well as branding the cattle. She was a great cowgirl! Bessie was also the ranch cook for those who worked the ranch with her and Mr. Kauzlarich and she loved to fill an empty belly. Her world changed again when Mr. Kauzlarich died. Yet through her pain and grief she found love again when she married Gene Grizzle in 1991. Gene was a WWII veteran and retired from the U.S. Navy as an electronics specialist. Sadly, he died in 2003. On December 6, 2005, Bessie was married for a final time to Edwin Charles Lewis. They were very happy together and had a special love and respect for each other. As Bessie's health dwindled, Edwin was the one who cared for her every need, as he loved her so very much. Bessie wasn't always about hard work. She, too, had a special appreciation for the arts. She was a naturally gifted artist and loved to paint. Oil paintings were her favorite to paint. She painted using a knife and brush. Many of her paintings are now treasured gifts hanging in the homes of family members and dear friends. Bessie also loved working in her yard; planting and tending to her flowers. Her yard was always neat and immaculate. The world will miss her talents and her gentle spirit. Bessie is survived by her last husband, Edwin Charles Lewis of Show Low, Arizona; 2 grandchildren: Rhonda (Rick) Coler of Sequim, Washington, Ronald "Lee "Ronnie" (Lynn) Hornback, Jr. of Monroe, Washington; 4 great-grandchildren: Colton Hornback, Carlee Hornback, Derick Coler and Mattie Coler. Along with being preceded by 3 former husbands, Bessie was most recently preceded in death by her only son, Ronald Lee Hornback, Sr. just 11 days ago on Friday, April 19, 2013. The visitation will be from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., Thursday, May 9, 2013 at Owens Livingston Mortuary, 320 N. 9th Street in Show Low, Arizona. The funeral service will begin 1:30 P.M. Friday, May 10, 2013 at the First Baptist Church of Pinetop, 1963 E. White Mountain Boulevard in Pinetop, Arizona where Pastor Coy Brewer will officiate. The concluding service and interment will immediately follow at the Show Low Cemetery in Show Low, Arizona. Memorial contributions, in her name, to The White Mountain Hospice Foundation, P.O. Box 1975, Lakeside, Arizona 85929 have been suggested by her family. Your kind thought and words are appreciated so very much and the family is especially grateful for all of the prayers offered up on their behalf.