Rock Island resident Robert Ferman Bess died of a lingering illness Friday at Warren Regional Hospital. He was 72 years of age. A native of Dekalb County, he was the son of the late John and Martha Hale Bess and the husband of Eva Pearl Byars Bess, who survives. Mr. Bess was a retired supervisor at Rockford and a member of the Baptist Church. In addition to his wife, he is survived by one son, Robert Bess, Jr. of Rock Island, three daughters Linda Gayle McBride of Tullahoma, Kathy Tugman of Signal Mountain, and Christine Cornett of Rock Island; four sisters, Madie Elrod and Lucille Bailey both of McMinnville, Ella Arnold of Arizona and Mina French of Manchester; two brothers, Truman (Red) Bess of McMinnville and Hughie Bess of Centertown; and five grandchildren. Burial Mt. View Cemetery. Love-Cantrell and Cope Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Southern StandardMcMinnville, TN. March 4,1990.
[Contributor:  Angelia Bratcher-Bess]