Bessie Lavonna Sue Smith, 77, of Barbourville, formerly of Cumberland, passed away Thursday, August 29, 2024. She was born in Cowan, KY on September 19, 1946 to the late Ransom and Lucinda Sturgill Turner.  Bessie was the youngest of 21 children. She attended the Church of God when she was able.

She is preceded in death by her father, Ransom Turner; her mother, Lucinda Sturgill Turner; and three children, Gary, Ricky and Darrell Shepherd.

She leaves to mourn her passing her children, Clarissa Brock and husband, Danny, of Middlesboro; Vicky Ramirez of Lexington; Marcus Shepherd and wife, Gisela, of Middlesboro; Jerry Shepherd of Bowling Green; Carol Mitchell and husband, Joe, of Middlesboro; Viola Collis and husband, Jay, of Indiana; one living sibling, Isabelle Jones of Maryland; a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other family and friends.

Visitation will be Monday, September 2, 2024, at Tri City Funeral Home from 10 AM until the funeral hour. Her funeral will begin at 12 PM with William Rutledge officiating. Interment will follow at the Jackson Cemetery in Cumberland with family and friends serving as pallbearers.

Tri City Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Bessie Smith.