A funeral service for Bessie Sellers will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, October 26, 2023, in the Chapel of Downs Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Algoma South Cemetery. A visitation for family and friends will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 25, 2023, at the funeral home.

Bessie Mae Sellers (69 years), retired Police Officer of Marshall Police Department, died of natural causes at home in Marshall, Texas on October 19, 2023. Bessie was born in Marshall in 1954 to Henry Ross Sellers and Audrey Mae Harris Sellers. In her youth, Bessie revealed a creative, competitive, and adventurous nature (attributes that held true throughout adulthood). Bessie attended Marshall High School and graduated in 1972.

While in school, Bessie began a successful career at Kroger's Grocery, advancing quickly and serving as department manager for 20 years. In 1986, Bessie joined the Marshall Police Department as a reserve officer, having earned her Peace Officer License from Kilgore College Police Academy while working at Kroger's. In 1987, Bessie won the Reserve Officer of the Year award. In Spring of 1988, Bessie officially joined the police department as a patrol officer (badge #242), and for 26 years (1988-2014) she dedicated her life to protecting and serving the community. Bessie was proud to serve as the fifth female police officer hired by the Marshall Police Department. In 2000, Bessie started holiday decorating for the Marshall Mall, and after retirement from the police department, continued to work full-time in the mall's main office for Ben Fitzgerald Realty. Recently, Bessie was promoted into management to provide administrative services for contracted government and private facilitates.

When off-duty, Bessie was an active volunteer in her community. She volunteered with local schools (M.H.S. Crime Stoppers D.A.R.E Telethons), churches (Board Member, First Christian Church; Children's Department volunteer, Pentecostals of Marshall) and social organizations (Marshall Youth Softball, Camp Fire Girls, and the Police Explorer's Program). Bessie was also a capable crafter and enjoyed organizing and decorating for special events to support family, friends, and community (Relay for Life, Chamber of Commerce).

Bessie was hard-working, independent, pragmatic, a bit headstrong, and loyal. She was a woman of many interests and accomplishments, and what she tried she often mastered. She enjoyed playing sports and games and loved outdoor activities. She was an award-winning match pistol competitor. She played softball for city and church leagues. She rode broncos and bulls in rodeo competitions. She competed in dance and was an avid roller-skater. She was an experienced domestic and international traveler, visiting much of the United States and making several trips to the Holy Lands. Once youth's strength had faded, she turned to nature for respite and travelled to the Arkansas forests annually to relax and recharge.

She is preceded in death by parents Henry and Audrey Sellers; great-nephew Kelon Jones.  Bessie is survived by her brother James (Donna) Sellers, nephew David (Marcy) Sellers, their children (Tyler and Cade Sellers), and grandson (Kingston Sellers), niece Linda (Barry) Huffman, their child Geordon Huffman and niece April (Michael) Moffet; her Aunt WillaDean Harris; a tight group of supportive gal-pals; three cherished feline furbabies; and a host of other loving family and friends. Bessie leaves behind a legacy of love, friendship, loyalty, and service that will not be forgotten by those whose lives were touched by hers. We are blessed to have had a woman like Bessie Sellers in our lives. We hope joy and adventure await her in heaven.