Bessie Lee Tate Graybeal

Mrs. Bessie Lee Tate Graybeal, 91, of Mount Airy, passed away Saturday night, April 23, 2022, at her home.  Mrs. Graybeal was born January 20, 1931, in Wythe County, VA, one of eight children born to the late Lee Andrew Burton and Molly Lee Gwyn Tate.  Bessie worked as a cook in several restaurants in the area for many years.  She is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Matt and Shelby Graybeal and Randy and Rachel Graybeal; seven grandchildren and their spouses, Brenda and David Fletcher, Melissa Sizemore and Jason Trivette, Stephanie and Dusty Ring, Matthew Graybeal, Jr., Randy Graybeal, Jr. and Maria Graybeal, Justin and Ashley Jones, and Tara Jones and her fiancé, Josh McGrady; seventeen great-grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Ann Tate Scott; and two brothers and a sister-in-law, Herman and Debbie Tate and Lincoln Tate.  In addition to her parents, Mrs. Graybeal was preceded in death by her husband, James Harding Graybeal; a daughter, Joyce Graybeal Sizemore; a sister, Opal Mae Marshall; and three brothers, Ronnie Tate, James “Frog” Tate, Sr., and Kenneth Tate.  The funeral service will be held Tuesday, April 26, 2022, at 2:00 PM at Moody Funeral Home Chapel in Mount Airy, with the Rev. Robbie Sizemore officiating.  Burial will follow in the Tate Family Cemetery.  The family will receive friends Monday from 6:00 until 8:00 PM at the funeral home.  The family wishes to express their gratitude for the love and compassion shown by the Skilled Nursing Staff at Northern Regional Hospital, the staff at Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care, and a dear friend, Gina Turner.