Bessie Mae Armour Wade, age 91, of Alto, Georgia, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, August 24, 2026.

Born in Lula, Georgia, on August 10, 1935, Bessie Mae was a daughter of the late Dee Armour and Vadie Thomas Armour. She spent many years working as a seamstress with Baldwin Garment before her retirement. Bessie Mae lived a life filled with faith, family, music, and simple joys. In her spare time, she enjoyed arranging flowers and crafting, but some of her fondest memories were made “loafering” on day trips with her beloved husband, Hoyt. Wherever the road might lead, they simply enjoyed being together and sharing life side by side throughout their 65 years of marriage.

Music was also an important part of Bessie Mae’s life and ministry. She loved Southern Gospel music and was blessed with a heart for sharing it with others. Over the years, she would often visit local nursing homes, where she sang and played her guitar for the residents. Through those visits, she brought encouragement, joy, and the message of God’s love to many who looked forward to hearing her sing.

Above all, Bessie Mae loved the Lord. She attended Crossroads Baptist Church faithfully until declining health prevented her from attending. Though her health may have eventually kept her from the church house, the faith she carried in her heart remained steadfast. Her family finds comfort in knowing that the Savior she loved and sang about for so many years has now welcomed her home.

In addition to her parents, Bessie Mae was preceded in death by her loving husband of 65 years, Hoyt Wade; infant son, Hoyt Roger Wade; brothers and sisters-in-law, Howard and Julie Armour, William and Sally Armour, and D.W. Armour and Joyce Ann Bishop; and sister, Willaree Armour.

Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Ronnie and Pam Wade; special nephew and spouse, Greg “Steve” and Carol Armour; grandchildren, Matthew H. Wade and Laura Morales Wade, Joshua S. and Cris Wade, Anthony Glen Armour, and Adam Armour; great-grandchildren, Aliyah Pierce, Lennon Wade, Lyon Wade, Levi Armour, Keely Armour, Mason Armour, and Cooper Armour; brother and sister-in-law, Faye and Sue Armour; sister and brother-in-law, Judy Armour Clark and Bob Clark; as well as several nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Bessie Mae leaves behind the beautiful memory of a life well lived—a life marked by devotion to her family, kindness toward others, songs of faith, and an enduring love for her Lord. Those who knew her will remember the sound of her guitar, the Gospel songs she loved to sing, her creative spirit, and the many miles of happy “loafering” she shared with Hoyt. Her earthly song may be finished, but the faith behind every note has now become sight.

Funeral services are scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Thursday, August 27, 2026, from the Chapel of McGahee-Griffin & McEntire Funeral Home with Rev. Ray Davis and Rev. Dennis Taylor officiating. Interment will follow in the Wade Family Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 10:00 a.m. until the service hour on Thursday.

An online guest registry is available for the Wade family at www.mcgaheegriffinandmcentire.com.

McGahee-Griffin & McEntire Funeral Home of Cornelia, Georgia (706/778-8668) is honored to serve the family of Bessie Mae Armour Wade.