Bessie Mae Leavell

Bessie Mae Johnson’s earthly journey began on Monday, October 17, 1932, in Olmstead, Logan County, Kentucky on October 17, 1932, daughter to the late Curtis Johnson, Sr., and Elizabeth Suggs Johnson. In addition to her parents, her husband Grant Lee Leavell; son, Steve Leavell; grandchildren: Shatoya Woodard, Rosalyn Carney and ZaMir McVay; sisters: Lovie Virginia Johnson, Peggy Johnson, Polly Leavell and Mattie Henderson; brothers: Curtis Johnson, Jr., Sam Johnson, Moses Johnson, James Earl Johnson, Charles Johnson, Grady Johnson and William Johnson preceded her in death.

Bessie accepted Christ as her personal Lord and Savior at an early age and joined Keysburg Baptist Church serving as a member of the Senior Choir and Mothers Board. Later in life, she united with Bells Chapel Missionary Baptist Church.

She received her formal education through the Robertson County School System where she earned her high school diploma. She was self employed as a domestic engineer.

Bessie united in holy matrimony with Grant Lee Leavell and they were the proud parents of eight children and raised a granddaughter.

She loved spending time with her family and church family. She was a wonderful cook and baker. She enjoyed doing puzzles, coloring and watching her favorite television shows: Gunsmoke and Columbo. She will truly be missed by all who knew and loved her.

On Friday, August 22, 2025, Bessie answered God’s beckoning call to cease from her earthly labors and entered into eternal rest.

She leaves to cherish precious memories her daughters, Shelia (Pastor Jesse) Osborne, Clarksville, TN, Cynthia (Robert) Dowlen, Deanna (Rev. Eugene) Dunn, Patricia “Trish” Boone; sons, Elder (Garnettia) Leavell, Springfield, TN, Wayne (Debra) Leavell, AZ and Don (Lateria) Leavell; granddaughters who she raised Jurnee Boone-Brewer and Tiffany Grant; 13 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren; brother, Rev. Delmus (JaTanya) Johnson, Springfield, TN; sisters: Myrna Wilcox, Smyrna, TN, Katie Majors, Nashville, TN and Ada Denton, Clarksville, TN; sisters-in-law: Cerniel Johnson and Linda Kay Johnson and a host of nieces, nephews, cousin and friends.