Surrounded by her family, Bessie May Lancaster went to be with her Lord and Savior, whom she loved dearly, on Thursday, August 6, 2020. Bessie was born in Cumberland, Maryland on March 18, 1927. She was the daughter of the late Robert and Rose (Cope) Bryant. Her parents died at a young age, and she was raised by her grandparents, the late William and Resley (Cosgrove) Cope. Bessie was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, Edward Lee Lancaster. She was also preceded in death by her brothers, Tom Bryant and Jack Bryant; sisters-in-law, Louella Bryant, and Regina Lancaster. Bessie was a devoted and loving mother and grandmother. She is survived by her two daughters, Janet Lancaster and Dawna Murphy and husband Adrian Michael, Cumberland. She has two grandchildren, who were the love of her life, her granddaughter, Michalia Leigh Murphy and grandson, Michael Christian Murphy. She is also survived by a brother, John Bryant and wife Irma, Dundalk; sisters-in-law, Evelyn Lancaster, Essex, MD, Mary Jane Wilson, Short Gap, Norma Hauser, Cumberland, Rozella Fraley and husband Ronald, Keyser, and Dorothy Dawson and husband David, Keyser; brothers-in-law, Pastor Jack Lancaster and wife Alida, Fort Ashby, Pastor John Lancaster, Indiana, Pastor Otis Lancaster and wife Mabel, Rawlings, Pastor Walter Lancaster and wife Virginia, McCoole, Pastor Joseph Lancaster and wife Lois, Tennessee, and Stephen Lancaster and wife Sharon, Lonaconing; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Bessie was founder and president of the Allegany County Day Care Providers Association. She was a day care provider for over 40 years. She loved working with the day care children, and treated each one as her own. Many of the children who were in her care, and are now adults, often stop by to visit with her and thank her for the love and kindness shown to them. Prior to her work in day care, she was employed at McCrory's Department Store and Footer Cleaners. She was a member of the Highland Baptist Church. Bessie served as a Sunday School teacher for over 40 years. She loved the Lord, and her greatest joy was working with her classes and teaching the children about God. She was known to everyone as Aunt Bessie. She had a very giving heart, was always ready to listen to someone who had a problem, and was always praying for them and giving spiritual guidance. Family and friends will be received at the Scarpelli Funeral Home, P.A., 108 Virginia Avenue, Cumberland, on Monday, August 10, 2020, from 4 to 7 p.m. A funeral service will be conducted at Highland Baptist Church, 11911 Messick Road SE, Cumberland, on Tuesday, August 11, 2020, at 1 p.m. with Pastor Michael Calhoun officiating. Family and friends will be received one hour prior to the funeral service. Interment will be in Waxler Cemetery. The family would like to thank Dr. Gary Wagoner for the wonderful care given to Bessie over the years. Also thanks to Christie Wilkinson-Dodril for the loving care while she was on hospice. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Bessie's memory to the Highland Baptist Church, 11911 Messick Road, Cumberland, MD 21502. Condolences for the family may be left at www.ScarpelliFH.com