Much-loved, long-time educator Ina Ruth Bess was born Nov. 24, 1928 to Herman and Clara Bell Calhoun Webb of Smithville. Siblings Janelle, JoEvelyn and Ray Morris completed the family.

Bess’ father owned Webb’s Grocery when she was born. It was first located in the upper part of town where she spent much of her time upstairs amongst the huge feed bags and other supplies playing school with her dolls.

Her father later bought and moved the business downtown to the building now occupied by Charlie Max Salon. She and her siblings owned the building until the early nineties. Her father served sandwiches in the rear of store. Many shirt factory workers came to eat bologna, cheese, ham etc. with crackers. He became known for his hot pepper sauce.

"I was practically raised in the store," Ina Ruth recalled. "My Mama was always there helping Daddy. Mama was a wonderful seamstress and made all of us girls all our clothes. She played the piano beautifully both by note and by ear. She was pianist at First Baptist Church for many years. She always made sure we were in Sunday school every Sunday. I did different chores like helping put up groceries and later waiting on customers. Time in the store was a really happy time."

There was a deaf and dumb black man whom everyone called "Dummy." He helped in the store as well as other merchants, cleaning and bringing up coal from the basement for the big pot-bellied stove. He lived alone and Ina Ruth felt so sorry for him. When he died, she went to other merchants asking for money to help pay for a funeral wreath.

"My sisters and I were so happy when our only brother, Ray Morris was born in 1941," she said. "We thought he was the grandest thing. We would dress him up and have a wonderful time playing with him.

"When Ray was about five years-old, one night my parents went to a movie only three doors down and left me in charge. I stepped outside for a moment and the night lock was on. I was locked out! I went to the theater to get them and when we returned, Ray was inside the huge candy case eating candy!"

In the early years, the family walked everywhere since they did not own a car until the early 40’s. However, the children did have a bike that they shared.

"When I graduated High School in 1946, I was not sure what I wanted to do," Ina Ruth explained. "About one year later, I began substituting in the grammar schools. That is when I discovered teaching was what I wanted to do. Therefore, I began attending classes at MTSU and Tennessee Tech. on Saturdays and in the summer until I got my two-year Teaching Certificate. I was then given a teaching position at Chestnut Grove, a one teacher school. I taught there one year and then went to a three teacher school at Midway teaching first and second grades."

By the time Bess had her BS Degree, she was given the position teaching Junior and Senior English at DeKalb County High School in 1954. She remained there until 2007 when she retired after 57 years.

When the old high school burned down, classes in the old Elementary school until Liberty and Smithville schools consolidated in 1963 and they were in the new building that is used now. Here she taught Advanced English III & IV.

"I really enjoyed the advanced classes," Ina Ruth told "because they were going to college and really wanted to learn. They wrote many themes during this time, and I was so pleased when many students came back from college saying how much help my class had been. Students changed somewhat the last two or three years I taught. Most of them didn’t try as hard, missed classes more, and some could have card less."

During her time in High School she served under eight different principals. She directed many plays which she enjoyed. They practiced after school and nights. When they went to the new High School she still directed many plays, sometimes co-directing with Tommy Webb, still practicing in the after school hours. This continued until Theater Class was put in the curriculum, then they practiced during Theater Class. She shared this position with Sonja House.

"During high school I made many crowns for Queens," explained Bess. "Sometimes three or four each year. I also made the crown for the first Harvest Festival. I was a member, at the time, of the Business and Professional Club and helped to organize this festival.

"I sponsored many classes over the years. In the early 70’s, I sponsored the Beta Club for 3 years. One particular incident I recall that happened in Advanced English III and of which I was recently reminded by a former student, was when I returned to class, cookies were smashed everywhere. They had a big cookie fight with the Girl Scout Cookies. Since most of the students were Beta members, I had them to write the Beta Club Creed several times for punishment.

"I sponsored the Tigerette Club for 40 years. The Tigerettes had a food booth at the Jamboree’s first year and continued until 2002. My son Tony and his friends set up and torn down the booth each time. With some of the money, the club and I spent several days in Daytona Beach, Florida. Some of the parents came along as chaperons. The Tigerettes supported the football team and gave them a banquet at the end of the season. We also sold chili (homemade), nacho cheese, lemonade and homemade cookies at home games. The club at one time bought lights for top of the building shining on letters DCHS. We also bought concrete benches for front of building, and contributed toward the auditorium stage curtains. And to other clubs as well. To fund all these things, we sold candy, candy, and more candy," she concluded.

In 2007, when Ina Ruth retired, the teachers gave her a wonderful farewell of which Dixie Crook was the biggest instigator. Bess was on television and during the program in the gym, past principals and other friends spoke and Tom Duggin sang some of her favorite songs.

Later the Board of Education named the High School Theater in her honor.

In 1952, she married Paul Bess from Mcminnville. They first met him when he delivered Dr. Pepper to the store.

In 1958, her first son Tony was born. He was once was manager at Piggly Wiggly store, owned a video store in Baxter and now owns Smithville Marine. He is married to Tina Chapman Bess who works in the Business Office at St. Thomas DeKalb Hospital.

In 1965, second son Greg was born. He was once manager at Ford Dealership, an accountant at Rice Services and at Tennaco. He is now Assistant Plant Controller at Federal Mogul. Greg is also photographer for the Smithville Fire Department and has been for several years. He bred Labradors for a while. He is married to Malissa Phillips Bess who is a Medical Lab Technician at Tennessee Oncology in Nashville. They are both EMT’s. Greg enjoys growing grapes in his vineyard and making a vegetable garden for his mother.

Both boys helped in the store when they were young. When they became 16, they worked at Piggly Wiggly. When Tony received his first checks, he surprised Ina Ruth with a new movie projector.

She has two grandchildren Scott and Kelli Bess. Scott is a Youth Minister at First Baptist Church in Biloxi, Mississippi and is married to Ashley Grotham Bess.

Kelli is a nurse at NHC in Smithville. Ina Ruth’s step grandchild is Brandon Schebel who attends school at TCAT in Livingston, Tennessee. Her great grandchild is Bailey Kidd who is nine years old and is in the third grade. She enjoy her grandchildren so very much. She baby sat them when they were small in the summers and on Saturdays.

"I understand now why they are called "Grand," Bess grinned.

Ina Ruth practically raised her two sons by herself and in the early 70’s as she and Paul divorced. He died in 1993.

"I have been fortunate to have my two sons who never gave me any trouble," gleamed Bess, "and to have them and their families live close by and I get to see them almost every day. I am also fortunate to have such wonderful daughter-in-law’s Tina and Malissa."

Bess attends First Baptist Church in Smithville and has been a member for 69 years. She loves her church and at one time taught the 11-12 year old girls Sunday school. She has read the Bible through several times. She calls every member of the church on their birthday, as well as other friends.

Her biggest hobby has always been reading. She was a great sun lover and would lie out getting a tan. She also enjoyed fishing and camping with family and friends.

"When the boys were young I would take them fishing," she said. "We would come home and clean the fish ready to eat for supper. I also enjoyed working outside, planting flowers, mowing the lawn (push Mower) and helping Greg some in the vegetable garden. Besides going for a week in Daytona Beach, I also spent two weeks in Pompanos Beach, Florida with Kathryn Cantrell in her condo."

The worst most horrible thing that ever happened in Ina Ruth’s life was when her mother was murdered September 1985. She had continued on in the store after her father died in 1977. At this time the business was very small, but it gave her mother something to do and enjoy. That Saturday afternoon, Ina Ruth visited her in the store and her mother related how this guy had come in two different times. He acted little strangely and she said she had been a little frightened. At 6:00 Ina Ruth was going to eat with friends and called her mother’s home to tell her (as she always did) and no answer at home, the store, or her sister’s.

"I became alarmed," she recalled "I went looking and saw her car still at the store. I found her dead on the floor. Greg came in behind me (thank goodness). Due to the information she had given me, police were able to apprehend him early next morning. He was given life imprisonment."

"I am 88 years old," Ina Ruth said with a smile "which I don’t feel that old. In recent years, I use a walker at home because of back problems and in a wheelchair when leaving the house. I have two caregivers, Lisa Womach and Christene Bain who take turns three nights a week, cleaning, laundry, and preparing food. My family often brings in food also. Home Health comes when I need them.

"However, I feel life has been very good to me in so many ways. I still have my family, my health, and hopefully my sound mind.

"I attribute all this to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ," Bess concluded.