Bessie "Roberta" Bearss

Roberta Bearss, 103, of Charlevoix, passed away Tuesday, November 13, 2012, at her son, Glen's home in Hart. She was born January 14, 1909, in Williamsburg, the daughter of Charles R. and Ada Mae (Thompson) Bartlett. She attended school in Williamsburg where she played on the high school girls' basketball team. After graduation she taught school in a one-room schoolhouse. On December 25, 1932, she married Howard Bearss, and they made their home at the Bearss family farm in Banks Township in Antrim County. In the 1950's, they moved to a farm in Charlevoix located on a hill south of Castle Farms. She was a hard working farm wife most of her life, and after selling the Charlevoix farm, moved into town. Roberta's hard work and cheery disposition helped all of her children throughout their lives. Howard preceded her in death on March 5, 1974. In later years, when her health began to fail, Roberta went to live with her son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Teresa in Coleman. She was a member of the Charlevoix Assembly of God Church.
She is survived by her sons, James G. (Angel) Bearss of Charlevoix, Robert H. (Teresa) Bearss of Coleman, Glen (Audrey) Bearss of Hart; eleven grandchildren, twenty-six great-grandchildren, six great-great-grandchildren. The funeral will be 1:00 pm, Saturday, November 17, at the Winchester Funeral Home in Charlevoix, where visitation will begin at 12:30 pm. The Reverend Glen Bearss will officiate. Burial will be in the Ellsworth Cemetery in Banks Township.