Bessie 'Pinto' Wise Talamasy passed away at her home near Okemah, Oklahoma on Monday evening, October 5, 2015, at the age of 66 years.

Bessie was the daughter of Phillip & Winey (Scott) Yargee, born on April 17, 1949 in Talihina, Oklahoma. She was brought up and attended schools in Yeager, where she played basketball for the Yeager Eagles. She cut her education short when she was married at age 16, but she found the time in later years to earn her GED.

Bessie was married to Kennedy Wise Talamasy Sr. on June 25, 1965, in Sapulpa, Oklahoma. Apart from some time spent in Texas and Tulsa, they lived most of their married life in the Bowlegs area. Her husband passed away on August 22, 2013, shortly after their 48th anniversary.

Bessie was a kind and compassionate lady, always thinking of others. From the time she was around 13 years old, she was dedicated to taking care of the elderly and sick, and would take every opportunity to do so. She kept an overnight bag in her car at all times, along with an adequate supply of coffee and Pepsi, so that she could just get in and go any time her help was needed. All her life long, she had a deep appreciation for her Indian heritage and culture. She liked to maintain traditional ways, and she tried to teach her children to do the same. She loved playing stickball on the ceremonial grounds as a child, and remained active in the Alabama Ceremonial Grounds where she served as Head Woman. She was a former Floor Speaker for the Alabama Quassarte Tribal Council. She loved people, she liked to visit and drink coffee, and she loved preparing and tending to the customary big dinner with her family and friends. She was a member of the Wetumka Baptist Church.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Phillip & Winey Yargee; her husband, Kennedy Wise Talamasy Sr.; one son, Kennedy Wise Talamasy Jr., and two daughters, Thelma Talamasy and Christine Talamasy; four brothers: Henry Yargee, Sam 'Woxie' Yargee, Roman Yargee, and Joseph Yargee.

She is survived by one son, Phillip, of Bemidji, Minnesota; four daughters: Bernadine of Seminole, Ladena of Tulsa, Margaret of Bowlegs, and Kristen of Hanna; 21 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren; seven brothers: David Yargee, Tarpie Yargee, Robert Yargee, all of Okemah, Jack Yargee of Cromwell, Phillip Yargee of Checotah, Wallace Scott of Yeager, and John King of Tennessee; three sisters: Rovena Yargee, Josephine Yargee, both of Holdenville, and Evelyn McLemore of Wetumka; one uncle, Turner Scott of Wetumka; numerous nieces and nephews, a host of other relatives, and many friends.

Funeral services will be Friday, October 9, 2015, 1:00 p.m. at Wetumka Baptist Church, and Bessie will be laid to rest in the Yeager Cemetery. Rev. Houston Tiger and Rev. Bill Hobia are the officiating ministers. Bessie's nephews will serve as pallbearers.

Services are scheduled as follows:

VIEWING and VISITATION
Wednesday, October 7, 12:00 noon - 4:00 p.m.

PROCESSION to TARPIE YARGEE HOME
Wednesday, October 7, 4:00 p.m.
WAKE SERVICE - 7:00 p.m.

PROCESSION to WETUMKA BAPTIST CHURCH
Thursday, October 8, 4:00 p.m.
WAKE SERVICE - 7:00 p.m.

FUNERAL SERVICE
Friday, October 9, 1:00 p.m.
Wetumka Baptist Church

INTERMENT
Yeager Cemetery