Bessie Fike

Bessie Fike passed away Sunday, March 23, 2014 at the age of 97. She was born May 28, 1916 to Mary (Brom) Maresh and Frank Maresh in Moulton, Texas. She was the first of four children and grew up on a farm three miles west of Moulton. Bessie married James Covellar (J.C.) Fike Jr on August 9, 1939 in Houston, Texas. The couple settled in Houston and had three children. Their first child, James Allen was born in 1941; he was killed crossing the street coming home from school when he was just 6 years old. Their second child, David Alan was born in 1949 and then Susan Elizabeth was born in 1958. J.C. passed away January 15, 1966, of a heart attack at the age of 50. As a young widow, Bessie brought her two children back home to the family farm in Moulton and started a new life. Bessie lived in Moulton for 44 years and was a pillar of the community. She was a devout Catholic and a faithful member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church. Bessie was a member of the Catholic Daughters, the Altar Society and a Eucharistic minister for many years. She was also active in the Retired Senior Volunteer Program and a Shady Oak Nursing Home Volunteer. Bessie enjoyed gardening and baking, she is best known for her Czech rohlicky and her beautiful pink azaleas. She liked polka music, collecting stamps and was avid about keeping family history records. Bessie was pure love. She loved people, she loved God and she loved her family unconditionally. She took special care of her family her entire life, when she could no longer physically care for them; she continued to care for them emotionally and spiritually by praying for them unceasingly. Bessie's last years were spent in the Oak Manor Nursing Center in Flatonia. Bessie was preceded in death by her loving husband, J.C., her parents, her brother, Johnnie Maresh, and her sisters, Anita McLeod and Mary Hruby. She was also preceded in death by her son, James Allen Fike of Houston, her daughter, Susan Steinhauser of Flatonia and her great grandson, Jackson Allan Hooper of Schulenburg. Bessie is survived by her son, David and wife Lucreta of Flatonia; son-in-law, Randy (R.J.) Steinhauser of Flatonia; 3 grandchildren, Alan James (A.J.) Fike and wife Staci of Flatonia, DeeAnn Fike Hooper and husband Chris of Schulenburg and Karl Steinhauser of Flatonia; 6 great grandchildren, Chandler Fike, Jaycee Fike, Ellie Fike and Braidy Fike of Flatonia, William Fike Hooper and Catherine Bess Hooper of Schulenburg. Visitation will start at 12:00 pm Tuesday, March 25, 2014 at Smith Funeral Home Chapel in Moulton. Rosary will be held at 7:00 pm Tuesday, March 25, 2014 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church. Funeral services will be at 10:00 am Wednesday, March 26, 2014 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church with Father Gabriel Maison officiating. Burial will follow in the St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery in Moulton. Memorial contributions may be given to St. Joseph's Catholic Church, PO Box 399, Moulton, TX 77975 or Turtle Wing Foundation, PO Box 631, Schulenburg, TX 78956. www.smithfuneralhomemoulton.com Smith Funeral Home, 404 West Bobkat Drive, Moulton, Texas 77975
Visitation Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Rosary Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Funeral Service Wednesday, March 26, 2014