Bessie Worrell

Bessie Muze Worrell, local businesswoman and lifelong resident of Harrison County, died January 11, 2017 at her home in Cadiz, Ohio. She was 91. A larger than life local personality with a comedian's sense of humor and a generous spirit, Bessie Muze Worrell was born in Duncanwood, Ohio, on April 9, 1925, the daughter of the late William Muze and Florence Mercer Muze. Bessie's life was guided by three things: her family, her faith, and her work. She approached them all with boundless energy and enthusiasm. Raised in a home of modest means, Bessie developed an intense work ethic at a very young age, one that she maintained her entire life beginning her first job at the age of thirteen, and working in some capacity, well into her late eighties. She never stopped. Even throughout "retirement", during winters spent at her home in South Florida, it was common for Bessie to find a job, just for fun, working as a cashier (along with other positions), at various local shops. Bessie and her late husband, Wallace Worrell, were married in Cumberland, Maryland in 1960, and were the owners of multiple businesses, including the Standing Stone Farm and Real Estate Company. Bessie and Wally made a good team. But of all their successful endeavors, none were as beloved to her as Bessie's 250 Drive-in Restaurant, a Cadiz favorite for comfort food and conversation which she owned and operated seven days a week for over fifty-five years. She was a cook, a manager, a boss, a friend, and an otherwise iron lady who held her own with grit and grace in a rough-and-tumble world of farmers and truck drivers and coal miners who came for the food and left with a laugh. Bessie had a special way with people. When she popped out from behind the counter something she often did to chat with her many decades-long loyal customers you knew you were in for a good quip, or a good ribbing, or both. She was known for her pies. For her burgers. For her fish. She was loud. She was candid. She was unwittingly kind. She had spunk. And she was to her family and friends, and many others an institution. Bessie lavished love and attention with equal zeal on her children and many grandchildren. She was devoted to them and lived for the time they shared together at holiday and family gatherings. She was generous. There are countless stories of Bessie Worrell helping others. Early in her life she knew what it was like to struggle, to make ends meet but her business success afforded her the ability to lend a hand to those in need, whenever, wherever she could, and she did so with great frequency until the very end of her life. She was long known to say, "I don't set an alarm clock because I have to, I get up and go because I want to." She will be remembered by all who knew her as a one of a kind, complicated-as-we-all-are, generous, soft-hearted soul. She wasn't always nice, but she was always kind. And she lived an exceptional, big, gregarious life, giving her all, and always at the ready with one of her hilarious sayings "Bessie-isms" as they've come to be called to fit any situation, delivered with impeccable timing. And of all the Bessie-isms (and there were lots), one of her favorites was most likely, "Do something. Even if you do it wrong." Words to live by. Bessie was a member of Jewett Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her parents, William Muze and Florence Mercer Muze; her husband, Wallace Worrell; brothers Robert Muze, John Edward Muze, and Donald Muze (Virginia Muze); very special Aunt, Esther Mercer; and great-grandson, Mac Bryson Rensi. She is survived by her children, daughter Lana Fannin Rensi (Gerald Rensi) of Columbus; son, Edward Eugene Fannin (Toni Giacobbi Fannin) of St. Clairsville; daughter Lorrie Worrell Smith (David Smith) of Sebring Florida; son Ronald Worrell (Brenda Holliday Worrell) of Wilmington, North Carolina; grandchildren, Staci Fannin Trudo, Robert Worrell, Todd Rensi, Lewis Fannin, Brian Rensi, Stephen Worrell, Timothy Worrell, Geoff Rensi, Tanner Smith, and Lana Smith; great-grandchildren, Garrett Trudo, Sydni Trudo, Madison Worrell, Hagen Rensi, Kaitlynn Fannin, and Susan Rensi; special caregivers of many years Marge Whitehead and Brenda Woodard. A funeral service will be held on Friday, January 20 at 12:00 p.m. at Scott United Methodist Church in Cadiz, the Rev. Henry Mooney officiating, with interment at Pleasant Valley Cemetery. Calling hours are Thursday, January 19, 2016, 2-4 and 6-8 at Clark-Kirkland Funeral Home, Cadiz. The family wishes to thank everyone for their care and support during Bessie's illness. --

Service

Thursday, January 19, 2017 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Clark-Kirkland-Barr Funeral Home, Inc.
172 South Main Street Cadiz 4390, United States

Service

Friday, January 20, 2017 12:00 PM
Scott United Methodist Church
817 E. Market St. Cadiz, 43907, United States