Bessie Norene Peel-Cox was born November 14, 1947 in Newport, Arkansas to the late Alex and Ethel Peel.  Bessie  worked at Bethany Nursing Home for nine years, and spent her last days there as a resident.  She was a licensed  cosmetologist and seamstress by trade. She loved cooking, playing games with her family and watching Family Feud, but most of all she loved her children and grandchildren.

In addition to her parents she is preceded in death by her late husband, James Henry Cox; (7) sisters, and (2) brothers.  She leaves to cherish her memory (4) sons, James "J.R.", Jerome "Boo-Boo" Anthony "PeeWee" (LaKisha all of Canton, Ohio and Jason (Robin) of Greensboro, North Carolina; (16) grandchildren; (11) great-grandchildren; (3) sisters, Virginia, Sally (Morris), Jackie (Tommy); (1) brother, Jimmy (Helen); special friends, Carrie Mae Sanders and Celia Parks as well as a host of nieces, nephews, and all of her sons friends that she loved as her own. Bessie will be deeply missed.