Funeral services for Mrs. Bessie Weatherly 81, of Killeen, TX will be held on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, 3:00 p.m., at Chisolm's Family Funeral Home in Killeen, TX.

Viewing will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., prior to the service.

Bessie (Maxwell) Weatherly was born October 3, 1942, in Kellyton, Alabama, to Amos and Emma Maxwell. She was the tenth child born to this union. Mrs. Weatherly passed away May 9, 2024, in Killeen, TX.

The Maxwell family relocated to Gadsden, Alabama, and for generations, as well as today, they joined First Baptist Church of East Gadsden where Bessie received Christ at an early age. During her early years she was a faithful member of the choir at First Baptist Church, East Gadsden, and remained in the faith until God called her home.

Growing up, she was fondly called "Red" by siblings and friends alike. It was in Gadsden where she met and married Robert (Bob) Earl Weatherly. The young couple relocated to Chicago, Illinois, a few years into the marriage seeking better opportunities for their growing family. While living in Chicago, her and her husband opened their door to family seeking better opportunities, were involved in community activities, encouraged, and supported their children as they participated in community activities, and for many years were members of bowling league teams, winning many trophies and awards in this arena.

For the biggest part of her life Bessie was a homemaker to her husband and children. Later in life, she worked at the University of Illinois from which she retired in 2007. She moved to Killeen, Texas, in 2013 to live and enjoy her golden years with her children and their families. She became and remained since June of 2014 a member of The Cathedral of Central Texas Christian House of Prayer.

Preceding her in death were her loving husband, Robert (Bob) Earl Weatherly; both parents, Amos and Emma Maxwell; two brothers, Sammie Maxwell and John Maxwell; three sisters, Annie Rice, Louise Maxwell, and Dorthy Croft; and one great-grandson, Daquan Weatherly.

She leaves to cherish her memory: her four daughters, Lisa Jones, Era (Jerald) Cook, Dorothea (Steven) Goodson, and Rosalyn Weatherly, all of Killeen, Texas; one son, Robert C. Weatherly of Austin, Texas; two brothers, Ralph (Annette) Maxwell of Chicago, Illinois, and Willie (Juwanna) Maxwell of Dayton, Ohio; two sisters, Clessie Walker of Marrietta, Georgia, and Mary Maxwell of Chicago, Illinois; nine grandchildren, Raquel (Terry) James, Mia (James) Long, DeMarqus Goodson, Sarai Goodson, Andrea Weatherly, Antonio Amick, Aiesha Robinson, Raven Weatherly, and Portia Weatherly; fourteen great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and lifelong friends.