Bessie Mae Wilkins

Bessie was the strongest woman this family will ever know having lived through a lifetime of storms while experiencing some rainbows.

It is equally a great honor and deepened sadness to announce the passing from this earth of Bessie Mae Wilkins (Francis).

Let Bessie’s legacy of survival through the storms be an inspiration to all who read this.

Bessie was born on May 22, 1933 in Erie, Colorado. Deeply faithful,  she walked with Jesus into heaven on April 12, 2026 after passing away from Cancer, the strongest of all storms. Her parents, Charles and Hazel Francis, instilled in her and her 5 siblings a dedicated work ethic. That must be where her will to survive the storms began.

This author admires Bessie’s life events that highlight her will to survive until her passing in Mesa, Arizona. Imagine living through the end of the Depression, the Dust Bowl on the plains of Colorado,  the dawning of the automobile, multiple wars, political turmoil, the Covid-19 Pandemic (never once contracting the virus), the coming of age of Technology…and so much more. The stories she would tell, they were full of life!

Bessie quietly accomplished so much in her life. Never one to boast about them, this author will share some of those. Her passion was art. She created thousands of paintings and shared them with everyone. Many a business and home has a Bessie original hanging on the wall.  She won many first place awards in art shows and fairs. Her favorite subjects to paint were sunflowers and mountains. Bessie was an avid ballroom dancer. Her dancing partner was the Emmy winning costume designer for Dancing With The Stars. She was really good! She won so many medals and achieved great success in this field. Bessie  received multiple accolades and awards from the Federal Government for her work at the Forest Service. She worked every day from the age of 12, ultimately retiring from Walmart. She described her greatest life accomplishment as her grandsons, Tyler and Alex Rugh. She cherished being with them and seeing them grow into adulthood. She was so proud of them.

Bessie’s ability to survive can be described as unstoppable.   In her life there were people who were obstacles and oppressors; always attempting to eliminate her. Bessie survived physical and domestic abuse, alienation and poverty, always surviving against overwhelming odds. She was even called “The Miracle Woman” because of her will to survive a tragic traffic accident. Let her strong survival vision give inspiration to us all.

Bessie’s daughter and son-in-law, Lynn and Jay Mitchell; and Bessie’s brother and sister-in law, Morris and Kay Francis continue living her legacy here on earth.  Never leaving her side, these family members were lucky enough to share in her stories, adventures and daily needs for the past 16 years.

Continuing in her faith, Bessie will be meeting in heaven with family and friends that previously passed.  Her parents, Charles and Hazel Francis. Her siblings, Charlene, Jimmy, Linda, and Betty Jean, and her sister-in-law, Bonnie Francis (They have a lot of catching up to do.)

Living family members: son Steve and Phyllis Wilkins with grandsons Aaron, Jason, and Even Steven and family, and Great-granddaughter Alexis, Great-grandson “Buddy” Aaron Jr.; son Grant Wilkins, daughter Lynn and Jay Mitchell with grandsons Tyler and Kama Rugh and family, Alexander and Jen Rugh with Great-grandson Grey Rugh, brother Morris and Kay Francis and family with Greg Francis and Ellen Upton and family, Amy and Murat Erdogan and family, Katie and Robb Rotella and family, Roxanne Dodd, Jason and Angelina Nye, several distant aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews.

Before she passed, Bessie wanted to thank some very special friends for their kindness and support that left an imprint on her forever. UCHealth Trauma Surgeon Dr. Steven Dubbs, who not only saved Bessie’s life, but nicknamed her “The Miracle Woman.” Joshua Dapkus, who became a dear friend to her during the pandemic; showing care, compassion and understanding during a very difficult time.  “Thank you Josh for letting me celebrate my birthday with my daughter and son-in-law.” Bessie has the greatest respect for these two men.

Having been born and raised in Colorado, her heart has always been solidly planted in Colorado soil. Only having been moved to Arizona in the last few years of her life, Bessie will be returned to rest in the land she so loved.

Graveside services will be held June 24, 2026 10:00 a.m. Sunset Memorial Gardens 2000 47th Avenue Greeley, CO

At Bessie’s request, monetary gifts can be made as a tribute to UCHealth of Northern Colorado Foundation “in recognition of outstanding care provided by Dr Steven Dubbs and all ICU staff” at www.uchealthnocofoundation.org or donate to your local Hospice “in recognition of the compassion shown by Joshua Dapkus”. The family would like to extend our deepest gratitude and appreciation to the staff at Brookdale Baywood in Mesa and Sage Hospice for professionalism, care and compassion during Bessie’s transition from this life.

Cards and condolences can be sent care of Lynn and Jay Mitchell, 514 Americas Way, PMB 12375, Box Elder, South Dakota, 57719