Bessie Coonts, 88 years old, of Piercetown, Arkansas, died on February 28, 2015 at her home. She was born on December 10, 1926, in Vendor, Arkansas to the late Abe Maberry and Elizabeth Celestine (Ricketts) Maberry. She was a life-long resident of Newton County Arkansas.

She was preceded in death by her husband and love of her life, Ralph Coonts; sisters; Verna Collins, Elva Tennison, Vercie Maberry, and brothers; William "Willie" Earwood, Garland Earwood, Austin Earwood, Simon Maberry, and John Newt Maberry, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Bessie enjoyed many hobbies in her lifetime which included gardening and canning, crocheting, sewing, and quilting. She loved to can and freeze food to share with her relatives and friends. She also made beautiful quilts and taught many young ladies how to quilt. One of her primary joys was taking care of her family and making sure they had quilts to keep them warm, and good canned food to warm their spirits.

Most of Bessie's work included factory work at Levis Strauss and being a farmer's wife. She would assist in feeding and milking cows, helping raise pigs for extra dollars in those early years, and assisting her husband with other farm duties. Her primary love, besides her husband, was her love for her Savior, Jesus Christ, and her church. She attended the Big Creek Assembly of God, and also attended the Piercetown Holiness Church. She and her husband enjoyed visiting with neighbors and attending many different churches throughout Newton and Boone County. Up to the end, she could still sing a lovely Christian song with joy in her heart and a smile on her face. Her favorite statement, "I think God for that deep settled peace in my soul."

Survivors are her two children that she loved dearly: Lawton Coonts of Missouri; and Teresa Coonts of Omaha, Nebraska. She also loved her grandchildren, Christy Markgraf (Chris), and Nicole McIntyre (Nathan) plus five great-grandchildren, Braedon and Colin McIntyre and Maddie, Gracelyn, and William "Will" Markgraf. She also had a special place in her heart for Trudy McIlroy and her husband Kenneth. She has many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews who mourn her passing.

Funeral services were 2:00 P.M. Friday, March 6, at Big Creek Assembly of God in Vendor, Arkansas. Interment followed in Smith Cemetery in Vendor with Pastor Phil Pitman. Visitation was from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, March 5 at Coffman Funeral Home in Jasper, Arkansas. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Big Creek Assembly of God Church in Vendor, Arkansas.

Pallbearers were Tommy Earwood, Joe Kenneth Maberry, Lexie Coonts, Kennth Coonts, Ronnie Ricketts, and Tim Earwood.

The family would like to give a special recognition to the staff of Legacy Hospice of the Ozarks for all their wonderful care and assistance. In addition, a very special thanks to all the private caregivers: Trish, Georgeanna, Branda, Colleen, Brittney, Brooklyn, Sheila, Hilda, and Stacy. A special thanks to all the friends and neighbors who have assisted over the years.