Bessie was born June 7, 1926, in Beaumont, TX, to Cornelius and Alma Spencer Outley. She moved to Galveston in later years and graduated from Central High School. She was a devoted homemaker and former member of Greater Mt. Calvary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. F.A. Allen.

Bessie was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Lewis Smith; twin sister, Essie Thompson; brothers, Shedrick and Ossie Outley.

She is survived by her son, Lewis Warren Smith of Houston, TX; brother, Cornelius Outley of Los Angeles; nieces, Ossie L. Stoneham of Galveston, Arva Kendrick, Sandra Outley both of Missouri City, Sheila Laverne Perez, and Carlleen Houze, both of Houston; nephews, Gerald Outley of Los Angeles, Cornelius  Outley of Galveston, Robert Jay Mays and James Earl Mays, both of Houston;cousin, Willie Mae Ambroise (Lawrence) of Galveston; other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on Friday, May 28th, from 5-8 PM. A service celebrating her life will be held on Saturday, May 29, 2010, at 2:00 PM in the chapel of Fields- Johnson Family Mortuary. Burials will follow at Lakeview Cemetery.