Bessie Devinney Nichols

Bessie Devinney Nichols, 75, of Morganton, NC passed away on Thursday, April 6, 2017. She was born in Burke County, NC on April 27, 1941 and was the daughter of the late Guy Devinney and Beulah Williams Devinney. Bessie was a member at Mt. Home Baptist Church and recently attended East Valdese Baptist Church. She was proud to assist in the Angel Tree Ministry at Mt. Home Baptist Church. She served on the food committee and loved to sing in the choir. Bessie retired from Western Carolina Center and had worked at Superior Petroleum and Stoney Kistler Industry.
Bessie’s joy in life was selflessly showing love to those around her. She lived for working right along Punch’s side whether on the cars or John Deer, and days spent in the kitchen were for baking desserts and food for those she loved. Of all the love she showed, none shown brighter than the love for her family. She always put others first, and never desired recognition or reward. Her proudest moments were the accomplishments of her family rather than her own. Whether you knew her as a sister, wife, mother, maw-maw, or friend, you knew you were loved. She provided memories to last a lifetime, and although our hearts are breaking, we find comfort in knowing Heaven is your home, and we will see you again.
In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by brothers, Charlie, Robert, Bud and Paul Devinney; and brother-in-law, Glen Brackett.
She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Carl “Punch” Nichols; son, Carl “Doug” Nichols and wife, Penny of Granite Falls; granddaughter, Peyton Nichols of Granite Falls; brother, James Devinney and wife, Barbara of Morganton; sisters, Mary Smith and husband, Lee, Evelyn Brackett, and Christine Mosteller and husband, Jerry all of Morganton; sisters-in-law, Diane Devinney, Bernice Devinney, Ilan Devinney, and Linda Devinney; many cousins, nieces and nephews; and close family friend, Glenn Smith.
A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, April 10, 2017 at Burke Memorial Park with Reverends Alan Wheeler, Jerry Gamble and Larry Cline officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to Mt. Home Baptist Church, c/o Angel Tree Ministry, 2272 Mt. Home Church Rd., Morganton, NC 28655 or to East Valdese Baptist Church, P.O. Box 56, Valdese, NC 28690.
Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.