Bessie Pearl Hackworth-Orr

ELKHART - Mrs. Bessie Pearl Hackworth-Orr, 87, of Elkhart, passed away peacefully following an extended illness at her home on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2018.

She was born Aug. 7, 1931 in Shiloh, AL to the late Richard and Alva (Jackson) Hackworth.

Surviving are children Lisa Conner, Bessie Hackworth and Barbara (Rev. Frank) Andrews, as well as Don, Robert and Travis (Angela) Dumas; siblings  Bishop Jimmy (Bonita) and Superintendent William (Kiena) Hackworth, Lillie Warfield, Josephine Black and Geraldine Brye, and 13 grand, 23 great grand and 8 great-great grandchildren. Bessie is preceded in death by her daughter Annette Dumas-Watson, siblings Robert, James and Richard Hackworth, Jr., Retha Andrews and Rosemary Goodman; special daughter Jasmine Davis; grandson Bobby Dumas, III; great granddaughter Trinity Harris and son-in-law James V. Conner.

Services will be held Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018 at 11:00 am at the Unity Church of God in Christ, 630 W. Wolf Ave., Elkhart. Visitation will begin at 10 am. Superintendent William Hackworth of the church and Rev. Frank Andrews of the Calvary Praise & Worship Center COGIC will officiate and burial will follow at Prairie Street Cemetery. Billings Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Elkhart have been assisting the family with arrangements.

While Bessie was a homemaker whose talents included large meals, cakes and pies, (including a sweet potato pie recipe that was carried in a national chain restaurant), her love for her Lord and family led her to become a leader within the COGIC community and beyond. Over the years, she has served on the Deaconess Board, Usher’s Board and the Mother’s Board, as well as serving as a Missionary Evangelist, Grand Usher, Praise Leader and Foster Parent. Her limitless dedication to her church family along with her leadership, love and poise demonstrated within her community has helped to build bonds that are still felt and appreciated by all yet today.  

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