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Bessie Lee Sommers, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend passed away February 19th, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas. A little girl from South Texas, she travelled the world and made a home for her husband and children everywhere they went. Bessie was born in San Antonio on January 20th, 1926, to Bessie and William B. Fry and raised in San Antonio and San Benito. Bessie graduated from San Benito High School in 1943. She enjoyed her high school years. She was president of her junior class, voted best “All-Around” girl her senior year, and was a member of the Honor Society, Glee Club, Girls Chorus, A Capella Choir and Dramatic Club. Following high school her family moved back to San Antonio, where she worked at a candy counter and studied at Durham Business College, eventually working at an insurance office. Bessie enjoyed an active social life in San Antonio and had fond memories of San Antonio during the last years of WWII and after. She met Major Harold Lee Sommers at the Princess Drive-In on Broadway in December of 1945. Only knowing her name, Lee called every Fry household in the phone book until he found her. Their first date was to the motorcar speedway. They were married on April 6, 1946. After a brief stint in civilian life, Lee re-activated his commission in the Air Force. This started their 24 years of transferring from one station to another. About every two years, Bessie would pack up the household goods and children and head to their new home. Bessie was proud to be a homemaker and officer’s wife. Never bored, she reared four children, bought houses, moved households, set up homes and still had time to be active in various women’s organizations. Her moves took her from San Antonio to Austin, Nashville-TN, Japan, Alabama, France (Evreux & Dreux), Smyrna-TN, Waco, Kansas, Philippines, Ohio, Virginia and back to San Antonio. While overseas, she would travel to surrounding countries. When in the US, she would visit local sites and was particularly interested in exposing her children to the local culture. Bessie especially enjoyed singing, playing the piano, gardening and sewing. She made many of her daughters’ dresses. Lee retired in 1972, and Bessie and Lee built their home in Hollywood Park. For many years Bessie participated in the Hollywood Park Homeowners’ Association and Garden Club. She was a charter member of Churchill Baptist Church and assisted in the office during its early years. Bessie is survived by her son, Harold “Hal” Lee Sommers, Jr (wife Pamela) and daughter, JoAnne Green (husband Edward), four grandsons – Richard, Matthew, David (Christine), and Jonathan (Natalia), and four great grandchildren – Robert, Esther, Jacob, and Patrick. Bessie Lee is predeceased by her husband Harold Lee Sommers, Sr, daughter Susan Sommers and son John Sommers. Her family would like to express their appreciation to the caring staff of Brookdale Maltsberger, the excellent caregivers of The Key and the nurses, chaplain and social worker of Good Shepard Hospice. Grave side services will be held at Mission Burial Park North on March 7th, 2025.

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Bessie L. Sommers

January 20, 1926 - February 19, 2025