Bessie Hutchins Apple

Mrs. Bessie Hutchins Apple, 88, of Winston-Salem, passed away on Friday, May 20, 2016, at Kindred Hospital in Greensboro after a period of declining health. Bessie was born in Winston-Salem on June 25, 1927, to the late Peter Cicero Hutchins and Bessie Frith Hutchins. While attending Gray High School in Winston-Salem, Bessie went to work part-time at the A&P Supermarket. Starting as a cashier, she later became bookkeeper and office manager. Bessie found her life's work at A&P, and she found her life partner, Worth H. Apple who was a World War II veteran, serving as a member of the tank corps. He and Bessie were married and ran A&P stores in Thomasville, Elkin, New Bern and Winston-Salem. Bessie was a faithful member of Ardmore Baptist Church. She enjoyed senior bus trips and singing in the senior adult choir. She gave generously of her time, volunteering for years in the kitchen with LaVerna Clapp and then Esther Hurtado. Those were happy times for Bessie, and her love for ""all things grocery"" showed through. Church friends were faithful to her through hard times and hospital stays. Steve and Glendora kept her abreast of church happenings with numerous calls and visits. They began to believe she had nine lives because she was so resilient and strong. Bessie loved to cook. She made quart jars of pimento cheese for her brothers and was charged with making the dressing for the Christmas turkey. She liked to be a part of any family enterprise from remodeling a house to running an antique shop. She enjoyed shopping, playing Rook, the Demon Deacons, and family reunions. Her family was her life. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Richard Durwood Hutchins and Joseph Ramsey Hutchins. Bessie is survived by her son, John Phillip Apple (Teresa); three grandchildren, John Apple (Nina), Alex Apple and James Apple; two great-grandsons; one sister, Sybil Swofford of Sun City Center, Florida; one brother, John Hutchins (Brenda); and a sister-in-law, Lorna Hutchins. Bessie had a special place in her heart for her nieces and nephew, Peggy Krobath, Stephanie Autry, Beth Hutchins, and Stephen Hutchins. She cherished five great-nephews and a great-niece as well. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, June 7, 2016, at Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel with Dr. Paul Mullen officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Ardmore Baptist Church, 501 Miller St., Winston-Salem, NC 27103.

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