Judith L. Bess

Judith L. Bess, age 76, of West Bloomfield, Michigan, died January 26, 2022. Judy is preceded in death by her first husband, John N. Grewell. She is survived by her husband, David A. Bess; a sister, Patricia Mandish of Westerville, Ohio; and daughters Amy E. Heslip of Northville, Michigan; Patricia L. McBride of Grand Blanc, Michigan; Jacqueline E. Bess of Clarkston, Michigan; and Lea A. Garfias of Rowlett, Texas. Judy is also survived by eight grandchildren. She was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on August 27, 1945 to Ray W. and Dorothy M. Reymann Potratz, who preceded her in death. Judy graduated from Wayne State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Education in 1972, and from Oakland University with a Master of Arts in Guidance and Counseling in 1976. She taught art at Chippewa Valley High School, and then held multiple leadership positions at Pontiac Motor Division of General Motors and Electronic Data Systems. Following that, Judy was adjunct faculty in the Oakland University School of Business Administration teaching career development, and was last an active artist with the Mesilla Valley Fine Arts Gallery in Mesilla, New Mexico, until her death, where she held leadership positions as well. Judy was married to David A. Bess of West Bloomfield in 1999, who survives. A visitation will be held at R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Home, 15451 Farmington Rd., Livonia, Friday, January 28, 2022 from 3 – 8 PM. A funeral service will be held at Berean Baptist Church, 38303 Eight Mile Rd., Livonia, Michigan on Saturday, January 29, 2022 at 11 AM with visitation from 10:30 – 11 AM. Interment following at Glen Eden Memorial Park in Livonia. An additional celebration of Judy’s life will be planned with her friends in Las Cruces, New Mexico, at a later date. The family requests memorials be made to Berean Baptist Church of Livonia, Michigan; Henry Ford Cancer Institute in Detroit, Michigan; Arbor Hospice of Saline, Michigan. https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/5ZBGPG38GNWGRMMW