Bessie Lofton

August 24, 1920 – October 8, 2012

Bessie Ada Murray was born Aug. 24, 1920, in Decatur, Ark., to Thomas and Edna Murray. She was one of six children and twin sister to Tressie. Her family moved to Oklahoma when she was four months old. She grew up and attended school near Tryon, Okla. Bessie was courted by Harley Lofton to which she was married on Aug. 2, 1936.  The couple were blessed with three children, a daughter, Helen; son, Dewayne; and still-born daughter, Y’vonne.

Harley and Bessie began farming near Carney, Okla. They later moved to Kansas where they owned and operated Lofton Equipment for many years near Rock, Kan. They moved their implement business to Ponca City in the mid-60’s. After 38 successful years of farm implement dealership, the couple retired in 1998. Harley and Bessie enjoyed 67 wonderful years together until Harley’s passing in 2003.

Bessie moved to Cumbernauld Village in Winfield, Kan., in April 2009. Bessie was very active in her church throughout her life. She enjoyed gardening and crafts. Visits from the grandkids and great-grandchildren would usually include craft projects. Many of these hand-made treasures can still be seen throughout the homes of her family and friends.

Bessie was preceded in death by her parents, husband, infant daughter, Y’vonne; brothers, Woodrow and Laverne; sisters, Tressie, Elsie, and Vida; and grandson, Devin Brock. Those to carry her memory are daughter, Helen and husband, Joe Gibson, of Dexter, Kan. Dewayne Lofton and wife, Doris, of Shell Knob, Mo.; grandchildren, Dale Gibson and wife, Vicki, of Jay, Okla.; Debra Gibson of Ponca City, and Dennis Brock of Dallas, Texas; Monica and husband, Aaron Wise, of Dexter, Kan.; Mitch Lofton and wife, Deb, of El Dorado, Kan.; and Julie and husband, Jim Haggar, of Anthem, Ariz.; nineteen great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.

Bessie’s funeral service was held on Saturday, Oct. 13, at 10 a.m. at Hartford Avenue Church of Christ with Mr. Don Huddleston, officiating. Her body was interred next to her husband Harley in the Carney, Oklahoma cemetery, and where she is surrounded by family and friends who have gone before her. Arrangements are made under the direction of Trout Funeral Home and Crematory in Ponca City.