Bessie M. Smith, 86, of Defiance, passed away on Wednesday, March 15, 2017 at CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center. 
  
She was born on June 28, 1930 to Wilbert and Gladys (Frysinger) Rohlf in Defiance. On April 30, 1950 she married James M. Smith, who preceded her in death on June 12, 1988. 
  
Bessie was a member of First Baptist Church in Defiance, and did custodian services for the church. She was also a former member of Trinity United Methodist Church. She worked at General Motors in Defiance for 27 years, retiring in 1981. Bessie loved spending time with her family. She enjoyed traveling, and took many bus trips. She loved her trip to Hawaii and her Alaskan Cruise. Bessie had many fond memories of her 27 years working at GM Central Foundry, and all the friendships she made over the years. She also enjoyed reading and doing puzzles. Bessie will also be missed by her fellow coffee drinkers at Burger King.
  
Bessie is survived by her daughters, Diane Kennedy of Defiance, Becky (James) Wuebben of Edon, Ohio, and Judy (Stephen) Corbitt of Defiance, son, James E. (Lois) Smith of Cincinnati, 12 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, brothers, William Rohlf and Philip Rohlf of Defiance, sisters, Wilberta Iler of Latty, Maxine Willitzer-Pippin of Edgerton, Mary Ann Font of Grover Hill, and Martha Rath of Shelby, Ohio. 
  
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, James Smith, sisters, Mildred Strawser-Schmidt, Orianna Armbruster, and Helen Woodring, brother Karl Rohlf, and one brother in infancy.
  
Visitation will be held from 2:00 pm  to 8:00 pm on Monday, March 20, 2017 at Schaffer Funeral Home in Defiance, and for one hour prior to services at the church.   Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, March 21, 2017 at First Baptist Church in Defiance, with Rev. Tim Yazel officiating.  Burial will follow the services at Riverview Memory Gardens.
  
Memorials are suggested to CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Center.