Bess MORTON

BESS L. MORTONBess L. Morton, 87, passed away Thursday, November 23, 2006 at Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada. Born, Bess Louise Stapleton, on April 15, 1919 in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Bess was one of three children born to Lackey and Naomi Stapleton.Bess grew up in the Panama Canal Zone where she met her husband, of 67 years, Walter H. (Walt) Morton, at a double-header baseball game. While in the Canal Zone, Bess worked for the Navy Department while raising her daughter and two sons.The family moved to Southern California in 1954 where Bess worked for a time for the City of Monrovia, CA before returning to the Department of Navy in Pasadena, CA. In the late '60s, Walt and Bess moved to Prospect, OR where they lived for 18 years. Upon retirement from the U.S. Forest Service in Oregon, the couple migrated back to California, living in Glendora, West Covina, and Palm Springs before moving briefly to Mocksville, NC. In 1995, they came to Lake Havasu where they lived until their passing.Bess was a Lioness when she lived in Oregon and a Lion in the London Bridge Club, where she was know as "Lion Mom". Bess was an avid Diamondbacks fan and devout USC football supporter; enjoying many hours watching her favorite teams on television. Bess loved to dance, play card and board games with friends and family; and she especially loved to visit with her grandkids and great grandkids.Bess is survived by sister Margaret Dalton of Pinehurst, NC, sons Jim Morton and wife Charlene of Shingletown, CA, Wally Morton and wife Linda of Redding, CA, and daughter Margie Tellkamp and husband Bob of Lake Havasu City, AZ as well as six grandsons, one granddaughter, five great grandsons, and two great granddaughters.Bess was preceded in death earlier this year by her husband of 67 years and their very special dog Sassy.Bess was a terrific mom, grandma, great grandma, sister, aunt, and friend who was, and is, loved and will be greatly missed.Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday December 2, 2006 at Lietz-Fraze Funeral home. The family has asked that Donations be made in her name to the Leader Dog School in Rochester, Michigan. Thoughts and condolences may be submitted to the family at www.lietz-frazefuneralhome.com. Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home and Crematory made arrangements.