Bessie Chavis Obituary
It is always difficult saying goodbye to someone we love and cherish. Family and friends must say goodbye to their beloved Bessie Chavis (Emporia, Virginia), who passed away at the age of 85, on October 25, 2025. You can send your sympathy in the guestbook provided and share it with the family. You may also light a candle in honor of Bessie Chavis or send a beautiful flower arrangement to the funeral service.
She was predeceased by: her mother Clara Bell Richardson Blunt; her husbands, Linwood Smith, Sr. and Willie Lee Chavis; her children, Mary Lee "Puddin" Smith and Linwood "PeeWee" Smith, Jr.; her grandsons, Aalon Smith and Shaun Smith; her great grandchildren, Davonte Smith and Devine Grace Smith Brown; and her siblings, Annie Edwards, Clara Bernice Blunt, Shirley Jones, Barbara Williams, Gospel Blunt, Jr. and Frank Blunt.
She is survived by: her daughters, Bessie Smith of Drewryville, Virginia, Carolyn Coley (Lloyd) of Conyers, Georgia, Robin Smith of Waverly, Virginia, Lisa Smith (Glenn Blowe) of Emporia, Virginia and Thelma Harris Robinson (George) of Skippers, Virginia.; her grandchildren, Monaraye Rawlings (Raymond) of Emporia, Virginia, Marcus Smith of Conyers, Georgia, William Small (Tami) of Norfolk, Virginia, Stacie S. Worrell (Tilton) of Suffolk, Virginia, Carl Small of Drewryville, Virginia, Jennifer Mabry (Monchello) of Drewryville, Virginia, Renita Bottoms (Marcus) of Drewryville, Virginia, Tina Smith Small (Rodney) of Katy, Texas, Jeliza Smith of Jarratt, Virginia and Lakeeshia Harris of Waverly, Virginia.; her siblings, Eddie Blunt (Vivian) of Su, Joseph Blunt of Lawrenceville, Virginia, Elvis Blunt, Sr. (Peronica) of Emporia, Virginia, Viola Lucas (Frank) of Emporia, Virginia, Elsie Harris (Melvin) of Chesapeake, Virginia, Tuwanna Okafor of Chesapeake, Virginia, Ruth Edwards of Portsmouth, Virginia, Georgette White (Dennis) of Portsmouth, Virginia and Willie Reese of Raleigh; her daughter-in-law Linda Smith (Virginia) of Emporia; and her sisters-in-law, Flossine Wilson of New York and Ardella Blunt of Emporia, Virginia.. She is also survived by nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Viewing was held on Friday, October 31st 2025 from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM and on Saturday, November 1st 2025 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM. A celebration of life was held on Saturday, November 1st 2025 at 12:00 PM at the Rising Star Baptist Church (30277 Little Texas Rd, Branchville, VA 23828). A burial was held on Saturday, November 1st 2025 at the same location.
