Bessie Lee Tavary, 93, passed from this life into the loving arms of Jesus on June 9, 2023, in Lake Jackson, surrounded by her family.
A rosary service and visitation will be held on June15 from 6:00-8:00 pm at Stroud Funeral Home in Clute, Texas. Funeral services at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Lake Jackson are scheduled for June 16 at 3:00 pm. Graveside service will be June 19, 11:00 am, at Forest Park cemetery in Houston.
Bessie was born in Baytown, Texas, on January 1, 1930, the first baby of the New Year. In 1948, she married her first love, Michael Joseph Tavary. The couple had three sons, Michael Eugene, George Anthony, and Stephen Edward. Over the next fifty-nine years, the two built a life of love, generosity, and hospitality for their sons and daughters-in-law, seven grandchildren, twenty-three great-grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren.
Their home in Baytown was a place of frequent large family gatherings where joy and good food overflowed.
Bessie and Mike loved caring for children. Many nieces, nephews, grands, and great-grands were rocked to sleep by “Nanny’s” beautiful singing voice or taken for adventures on “Poppy’s” tractor.
A nurturer at heart, Bessie earned her LVN from Lee College in 1973 and went to work in Labor & Delivery at San Jacinto Hospital in Baytown. She stepped down from this position to care for her ailing father until his death in 1981. From that point on she continued to care for her extended family and keep an immaculate home, where all were welcome, and the coffee pot was always ready. When her husband was diagnosed with cancer, she skillfully and lovingly cared for him at home until he passed away in 2007.
In 2012 she came to live in Lake Jackson, where she enjoyed visits and social events with family and friends.
Bessie is preceded in death by her husband Michael J. Tavary, parents George and Maggie Williams, sisters Irma Lee Williams and Joyce Wright, and great-granddaughter Elizabeth Tavary.
Survivors include her sons and daughters-in-law, Mike and Belinda Tavary of Lake Jackson, George and Paula Tavary of Glen Rose, and Stephen and Susan Tavary of Houston. She is also survived by her seven grandchildren and their families, Heather and Robb Chock of Fort Worth, Tony and Heather Tavary of Burton, William and Mariah Tavary of Baltimore, MD, Victoria Tavary of Mont Belvieu, Stephani and Eddie McKissack of Lake Jackson, Elise and Kevin Kyle of Houston, and Stephen A. and Haley Tavary of Houston.
Pallbearers are Tony Tavary, William Tavary, Stephen A. Tavary, Robb Chock, Eddie McKissack, and Adam George.
Honorary pallbearers are Joey Tavary, Colin Cruse, Anthony D. Tavary, Patrick Tavary, George Paul Tavary, Vincent Kyle, Will Chock, Frank McKissack, Jr., and Brandon McKissack.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Society of Saint Vincent DePaul. www.svdphouston.org