Mrs. Bessie Z. Backes, 82, of Sharpsburg, died Tuesday, December 1, 2020 at her residence.

Born December 16, 1937, in Bremen, daughter of the late Will Summerville and the late Etta Lumenack Summerville. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Robert Joseph Backes.

Survivors include her daughter, Melissa Ann McElroy (Trae); sons, Tony Jerome Willis, Mark Allen Willis (Kathy) and Timothy Eugene Willis; grandchildren, Samantha Phillips (Sean), Jessica Hagelthorn (James), Cole McElory, Hannah Haberlin (Lee), Will Willis (Lacey), Marisa Stewart (Bailey) Blake Roseborough, Tonya McCoy (Caine) and T. J. Willis (Stephanie); great grandchildren, Logan Fletcher, Alivia Hagelthorn, Lucas Phillips, Levi Hagelthorn, Maddie Hagelthorn, Lily Phillips, Sadie Hagelthorn, Paisley Rae, Bailey Kathryn, Tessa Christine, Elizabeth McCoy and Aiden McCoy; sisters, Clara Smith and Bernice Wilkinson; brother, Kenneth Summerville and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, December 3, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. at Hillcrest Chapel with Pastor Griff Jones officiating. Interment will follow in Sherwood Memorial Park in Jonesboro.

Higgins Funeral Home Hillcrest Chapel is honored to serve the family of Bessie Z. Backes. Please visit www.hillcrestchapelcares.com to share your memories or leave a condolence message.