Bessie L. Gaston

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Bessie L. Gaston, age 78, of Pinckneyville, Ill., passed away on Sunday, Oct. 24, 2010 at 5:58 p.m. in her home.

Bessie was born on June 9, 1932 in Pinckneyville, Ill., a daughter to Clifford and Nellie M. (Poole) Presswood. On Aug. 11, 1948, she married Thomas Henry Gaston, Jr. and he preceded her in death on Feb. 21, 2006. Bessie was of Baptist faith and a homemaker. She loved playing bingo and cards.

Bessie is survived by three sons, Thomas "Jake" Gaston, III of Pinckneyville, Ill., Melvin Dean Gaston of Glen Allen, Mo. and Brandon (Crystal) Hagene of Pinckneyville, Ill.; two daughters, Mary Deaton (Larry Chapman) of Pinckneyville, Ill. and JoDeane (Roy D.) Miller of Cutler, Ill.; one sisters, Vivian Shanle of Lincoln, Ill.; nine grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren and many dear nieces, nephews, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; two sons, Donald Gene and Jackie; one grandson, Charlie Gaston; three brothers, Loren Rich, Floyd Presswood and Billy Lee Presswood and two sisters, Genevive Clampet and Lorene Hurley.

Friends called at Pyatt Funeral Home, Pinckneyville, Ill. on Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2010 from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. There was no memorial or funeral services.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Shriners Hospital for Children or Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital.

For more information or to sign an online guest register, please visit www.pyattfuneralhome.com.