Bessie Belcher began her eternal rest on Monday, June 8, 2026 at the age of 93. She was a long-term resident of Durant, Okla.
Bessie was a member of Fairview Baptist Church since 1969. She touched the lives of many youngsters over the years — “Miss Bessie” volunteered in the nursery 50-plus years. She was also Director of the Day Care Center at Fairview for several years, retiring in the mid 1990s. She had a green thumb and tended the flower gardens at Fairview for about 20 years.
Bessie was a member of the Sow Sew Ministries Fairview Baptist Church since the inception of this group. The “Sow Sew Girls” met about twice a month, where quilting, fellowship and prayers for others went hand in hand.
Bessie graduated from Dale High School in 1951 and was class Salutatorian.
Bessie was preceded in death by her parents, Wallace and Daisy Steward; her husband, Howard Belcher; children, Vicki Belcher and Gregory Belcher and son-in-law, L. Patrick Peek.
She is survived by daughter, Darla B. Peek; son, Larry Belcher (Marilyn); daughter-in-law, Gena Belcher (Andy Reich); brothers, Wayne Steward (Gloria) and James Steward (Laqueda). She had four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Special thank you to everyone from the Durant Fire and EMS responders, Durant Alliance Hospital staff and Heart to Heart Hospice for their kind, caring compassion in Bessie’s final hours.
Officiating at the memorial service is Pastor Bill Ledbetter formerly of Fairview Baptist Church.
Visitation with the family is Monday, June 15, 2026, from 6-7 p.m. at Holmes-Coffey-Murray Funeral Home at 121 N. Fifth Ave. in Durant, Okla.
Memorial service will be Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at 10 a.m. at Holmes-Coffey-Murray Funeral Home at 121 N. Fifth Ave. in Durant, Okla.
Graveside services at 3 p.m. at Resthaven Memorial Park at 16006 S. Rock Creek Road in Shawnee, Okla.