** Narrative Summary of the Obituary**  

Mrs. Bessie Roberson Smith died on 12 April 1979 at the age of 85. She was born on 23 May 1893 in Franklin County, North Carolina. She was survived by three daughters, three sons, 36 grandchildren, and 31 great-grandchildren.

** Narrative Summary of Funeral Services**  

Funeral services were held on 14 April 1979. Burial took place at Maple Springs Baptist Church cemetery.

**Transcript of the Edited Obituary**  
Bessie Mae Roberson  

Birth: 23 May 1893  
Death: 12 April 1979  

-------------------------------------  

Mrs. Bessie Roberson Smith  

Louisburg - Mrs. Bessie Roberson Smith, 85, of Rt. 6, Louisburg, died Thursday [12 April 1979] in Franklin Memorial Hospital.  

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. today [14 April 1979] in Lancaster Funeral Chapel by the Rev. Ralph Clegg. Burial was in Maple Springs Baptist Church cemetery.  

Surviving are three daughters, Mrs. Cassie Belle Patterson of Littleton, Mrs. Juanita Lamm of Bailey, and Mrs. Mary Duke Radford of Louisburg; three sons, Herbert Patterson of Castalia, Ollie Newell Patterson of Roanoke Rapids, and Ernest Patterson of Wilson; 36 grandchildren; and 31 great-grandchildren.  

Durham, North Carolina  
The Durham Sun  
14 April 1979  
Page 15  
Obituary for Bessie Roberson Smith  

-------------------------------------  
[Birth: 23 May 1893 - Franklin County, North Carolina, USA]  
[Death: 12 April 1979 - Louisburg, Franklin, North Carolina, USA]  

** Vital Statistics Summary**  

| Name                          | Age      | Birth                                             | Death                                                   |
|-------------------------------|----------|---------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------|
| Mrs. Bessie Roberson Smith    | 85 years | 23 May 1893; Franklin County, North Carolina, USA | 12 April 1979; Louisburg, Franklin, North Carolina, USA |

** Table of Relationships**  

| Name                          | Relationship                    | Place of Residence               |
|-------------------------------|---------------------------------|----------------------------------|
| Mrs. Bessie Roberson Smith    | Decedent                        | Rt. 6, Louisburg, North Carolina |
| Mrs. Cassie Belle Patterson   | Daughter                        | Littleton, North Carolina        |
| Mrs. Juanita Lamm             | Daughter                        | Bailey, North Carolina           |
| Mrs. Mary Duke Radford        | Daughter                        | Louisburg, North Carolina        |
| Herbert Patterson             | Son                             | Castalia, North Carolina         |
| Ollie Newell Patterson        | Son                             | Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina   |
| Ernest Patterson              | Son                             | Wilson, North Carolina           |
| 36 grandchildren              | Grandchildren                   | Unknown                          |
| 31 great-grandchildren        | Great-grandchildren             | Unknown                          |

** Publication Details**  

| Publication Date     | Location       |
|----------------------|----------------|
| 14 April 1979        | The Durham Sun |