Mrs. Bessie Mae Hickey Burrell was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She passed away peacefully on July 4, 2022, at age 97. After meeting the love of her life, Elder George W, Burrell, Sr., they had ten children together and were married more than 60 years.

Mrs. Burrell was born on March 25, 1925, in Brenham, Texas. She was the daughter of the late Julia McAdoo Smoots and stepdaughter of the late Elough Smoots Sr. Mrs. Burrell graduated from Pickard High School and attended Blinn Junior College, School of Vocational Nursing. She was the first African American to pursue entry at Blinn College. In 1965, she successfully completed the Licensed Vocational Nursing (LVN) Program and continued a rewarding career as a nurse in Brenham before retiring in 1991.

Mrs. Burrell accepted Jesus Christ at an early age and worked faithfully in the church through her youth and young adult life. She spent many years as a faithful member at Souls Chapel A.M.E. church before becoming a devoted member of the Navasota Church of God in Christ. Over the years, she served faithfully in most all of the church auxiliaries. Eventually, Mrs. Burrell was appointed as Church Mother. She was a licensed missionary at Williams Memorial COGIC and was a District Missionary for the Willis/Navasota District, Texas Southeast III Jurisdiction for the Church of God in Christ. She received numerous awards for her dedication as a church member.

Mother Burrell moved from her home in rural Washington County to Brenham after the passing of her beloved husband. She resided at the Argent Court Assisted Living in Brenham, Texas for seven years. From there, Mother Burrell resided at the S.P.J.S.T. Senior Living Facility in Taylor, Texas until her passing. While in Taylor, she became a member of the Harvest Time Ministries Church in Georgetown, Texas under the leadership of her eldest son, Bishop Robert C. Burrell.

Mother Burrell leaves to cherish her memories: one sister, Margie Louise Foster of Houston, Texas and one brother, Rev. Lawrence (Barbara) Smoots of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; eight children, Bishop Robert C. Burrell, Sr. (Lady Carolyn) of Liberty Hill, Texas, Dr. Noma Burrell Roberson (Supt. Willie) of Amherst, New York, Billy Burrell Floyd of Harker Heights, Texas, George W. Burrell, Jr. (Charlene) of Warner Robins, Georgia, Edna Burrell Lowery (Ernest) of Spring, Texas, Sylvia Burrell Burke of Brenham, Texas, Julie Burrell Franklin (Earl) of Temple, Texas, and Hallie Burrell Senette of New Orleans, Louisiana. She leaves one daughter-in-love, Beatrice Burrell of Liberty Hill, Texas and one sister-in-law, Ms. Hallie B. Williams of Jacksonville, Texas.

Mother Burrell also leaves 30 grandchildren, 61 great-grandchildren with one on the way, 3 great-great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

Mother Burrell is preceded in death by her parents; siblings; husband, Elder George W, Burrell, Sr., daughter, Pattye Burrell Turner, son, David Paul Burrell; three sons-in-law, Lonnie Turner, Sr., Alvin Senette and Freddie Floyd, Jr., and one great-grandson, Justin Burrell.

Visitation will be held at 9:00 a.m. at Goodwill Missionary Baptist Church located at 9180 Hwy. 105, Brenham, Texas 77833 on Saturday, July 16, 2022. The Celebration of Life will be held immediately after at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Dillard Cemetery located at 3531 Harry Franklin Ln., Brenham, Texas.

The family kindly requests any memorial tributes be directed to The Bessie Burrell's

Memorial Fund via CashApp at $BMBMemorialFund.

For any questions, I can be reached at 817-832-4019 or the email below.

Kind regards,

Amanda Franklin, Esq., MPH

Attorney at Law | Certified Mediator

alfrank0413@gmail.com

P: 817-832-4019