Bessie Irene Johnson Sechrist

Mrs. Bessie Irene Johnson Sechrist, 86, of 724 Allred Mill Road, Mount Airy, widow of Charlie Franklin "Ruben" Sechrist, passed away Sunday, August 26, 2007, at Northern Hospital of Surry County. Mrs. Sechrist was born January 7, 1921, in Surry County, to the late William Henry Johnson and Ella Ann Harrell Johnson Reynolds. She was a homemaker and a member of the Baptist faith. She is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Peggy and Osler Handy of Mount Airy; a son and daughter-in-law, Jerry and Martha Sechrist of Mount Airy; four grandchildren and two spouses, Lisa and Rick Jackson, Angie and Harold Hooker, Chip Handy, and Kim Sumner, all of Mount Airy; seven great-grandchildren and spouses, Cory Sumner, Courtney Sumner, Kelly and Bryan Waters, Leslie and Jamie Fore, Ryan Hooker, Anna Hooker, and Josh and Kendra Jackson; three great-great-grandchildren, Brayden Fore, Caroline Jackson, and Sheridan Jackson; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband and parents, Mrs. Sechrist was preceded in death by a son, Eddie Ray Sechrist; five sisters, Clara Butcher, Ruby Payne, Nina Payne, infant Octavia Johnson, and infant Martha Ann Johnson; and a brother, James Johnson. A graveside service will be held Wednesday, August 29, 2007, 2:00 PM at Oakdale Cemetery. The service will be conducted by Dr. Rick Jackson. There will be no formal visitation at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care, 401 Technology Lane, Suite 200, Mount Airy, NC 27030.