Bessie Brewster Roland

Bessie Elizabeth (Brewster) Roland, age 75 of Tazewell, VA, formerly of Pensacola, FL died with her children by her side on Tuesday afternoon, April 18, 2017 at Carilion Tazewell Community Hospital in Tazewell, VA after a brief stay at Heritage Hall Nursing Home. She was born August 21, 1941 in Tazewell and was the daughter of the late James Lewis and Mary Emily Reedy Brewster. She was a 1960 Graduate of Tazewell High School. Bessie was a woman of faith and attended East Brent Baptist Church in Pensacola, FL for over 35 years. Bessie worked as an administrative supervisor for JANA, Inc and American Pioneer Life for many years before going to Academy Sports and TJ Maxx until 2016. She enjoyed sewing, reading, and loved animals, especially her doggy Bella, her companion until the end. In Bessie's own words “my life has been centered on love and God. I pray that my family loves me as much as I love all of you, there’s not enough love in this world to share. To my beautiful grandchildren, Austin, Kenneth, Kayleigh and Alex , stay in love with God and life will be great." In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one brother, William Lee Brewster and one sister, Mary Frances Honaker. Those who survive to treasure her memories include the loves of her life, one son, Kevin Roland and his partner Zach Toczynski of Oakland, CA; one daughter Melissa Harbuck and husband, William, of Columbus, GA; four grandchildren, Austin Smith, Kenneth, Kayleigh and Alexander Cominsky; five sisters, Connie Cundiff and Phyllis Sanderson of Tazewell, VA, Hazel Phillips and husband, Raymond of Thompson Valley, VA, Lynn Snapp and husband, Bo, of Burkes Garden, VA, Donna Hope Keene of Rocky Mount, VA; one brother, James Brewster, Jr. of Tazewell, VA. Several other family members and friends also survive. Funeral Services for Bessie (Brewster) Roland will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 21, 2017 at Hurst-Scott Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell, VA with Pastor Richard Mallory officiating. Entombment will follow at Grandview Memory Gardens in Bluefield, VA. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. There will be no public visitation prior to the service. Hurst-Scott Funeral Home of Tazewell, VA is serving the family of Ms. Roland and those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com.

Bessie Brewster Roland

August 21, 1941 - April 18, 2017