Bessie L. Hartman

The world lost an amazing woman and our family lost the center of our world.  

EDINBURG - Bessie Lee Hartman, 95, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on January 14, 2019.

She and her twin sister Jessie were born January 4, 1924 to Marvin and Blanche Lomax in Ash Flat Arkansas.  Bessie was a lifelong resident of the Rio Grande Valley, graduated from Edinburg High School in 1941, and held various jobs including work as a switchboard operator.  

She married her first love Howard in 1942.  They had three children together.  After his passing she found love again when she met and married John Hartman.  They had 32 amazing years together, traveling the country, hosting family gatherings, and throwing amazing dinner parties for their family and friends. 

Bessie had a love of life and learning.  She enjoyed dancing, reading, watching her Cowboys, and completing the daily crossword puzzle.  She was always creating arts and crafts. Bessie was an active part of the local arts community alongside her daughter Vivian.

Bessie deepest values were love, respect, hard work, and always doing your best.  Family was the most important part of every day.  She had special relationships with each of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.  

Mrs. Hartman was preceded in death by her first husband Howard Dan Cole and her second husband John Woodrow Hartman.  She is survived by her daughter Vivian Martin (Dick), Jimmy Cole, Norman Cole, step son, Paul Hartman (Grace Ann) and family; five grandchildren Marty Martin (Debbie), Holly Giglio (Joe), Kimberley Johnson (Jeff), Kacee Cole, Brandie Sims, Terri Veach (Mike); five great grandchildren, Christopher and Cameron Martin, Mia and Jake Giglio, Connon Johnson, Rylie and Mason Reed, Cara Cook; her favorite niece Cindy Flores (Joe).

Family will receive friends at 5 p.m. and a Celebration of Life Service will begin at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, January 17, 2019, at Legacy Chapels 4610 South Jackson Road in Edinburg. Memorial contributions may be made to the Edinburg Arts Foundation Building Fund at Sekula Library, 1906 S. Closner Blvd.  Edinburg, TX.

Funeral services are under the direction of Legacy Chapels in Edinburg.