Bessie Murphy was born March 19, 1930 to John and Clemmie Murphy, in Emmerson Place, Arkansas.  She was the youngest of 12 children born to this union.  She was brought to California at the age of 9 months. She attended school at Tulare Union High School in Tulare, CA

She met and married Frank A. Jackson in 1946.  To this union was born 3 girls, Cynthia, Alyce and Brenda.  She worked as a Nurse's Assistant for Kaiser Permanente for over 20 years.

In 1967 she met and married Wylie Woods, Jr.  To this union was born a son, Robert L. Woods.

She was a vivid reading…reading everything she could.  Of course, Bessie loved her children, she loved reading, QVC and Mexican Food.

She met and married Deacon ZW Cruse in 1990.  She united with New Bethel Primitive Baptist Church where she served until her passing.  She expressed a great love for the Lord and her Church.

She was proceeded in death by her husband ZW Cruse, her daughter Cynthia C. Jackson, and a number of siblings.

Bessie leaves to mourn her passing, her daughters Alyce Jackson, Oakland, CA., Brenda D. Charles (Arvell) Palmdale CA., her son, Robert L. Woods, Oakland, CA, a sister Sophia Steppes, Inglewood, CA, two brothers, Milton Murphy, Longview, Texas and Jacob Murphy, Denver, Colorado, her grandson, Andre' L. White, I, Atlanta, GA, a granddaughter, Cynthia N. White, Hercules, CA, two great-grand children, Andre White II, Oakland, CA and Imani White, Los Angeles, CA and a host of Nieces, Nephews and many other relatives.