"Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live."

John 11:25

Mother Bessie Louise Lockhart Berkhalter was born to the late Needom and Millie Lockhart on May 24, 1932. She was the 8th child of 15 born to this union. She completed her earthly journey on April 9, 2024.

Bessie joined the Mount Carmel COGIC where she accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and savior at an early age. She remained a faithful member until her health failed. She attended Gray School in the Clem community and later on went to high school at Prentiss Institute in Prentiss, MS.

Bessie married the late Jack Berkhalter and to this union six children were born.

Bessie was preceded in death by her late husband: Jack Berkhalter; her father and mother: Needom and Millie Lockhart; son: Jerry Lockhart, Sr.; five grandchildren: Adrain "Taeon" Davis, Alexis "Lexie Bee" Berkhatler, Gregory Lott, Yatasha Johnson and Renada Taylor; seven sisters: Lillie Mae Richardson, Rosie Lee Brown, Mary Walker, Baby Ruth Buckley, Iris Sims, Annie Mae Lockhart and Bettie Lou Strickland (twin); four brothers: N. L. Lockhart, S. L. Lockhart, Johnny Lockhart and Junior Lockhart.

Bessie is survived by those to cherish her memory; her loving daughter: Brenda Berkhalter Davis of Prentiss, MS; four sons: Larry (Mildred) Berkhalter of Mendenhall, MS, Bobby Earl (Brenda) of Prentiss, MS, James (Ellen) Berkhalter of Pearl, MS and Billy Ray Berkhalter of Prentiss, MS. She leaves her memory to nine grandchildren, twenty-two great grandchildren and ten great-great grandchildren; her sister: Edith Blake of Rockford, IL; and her brother: Joe Lockhart of Tucson, AZ. A host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Bessie Berkhalter Funeral Program