Newport News - Bessie Mae Brantley Watson Shaeffer, age 61, died at Riverside Regional Medical Center in Newport News, VA on Wednesday, January 6, 2015. She passed away after fighting a battle with cancer. She will remain in our hearts, and forever be remembered and loved. Bessie was born on December 5, 1954 in Savannah, GA. she was the daughter of Thelma Brantley Lynes, Eddie Brantley, Jr. and Daniel Lynes, Sr. She was preceded in death by her Mother and Fathers; and beloved husbands, Hurley Craven Watson, III and Michael Shaeffer. Survivors include her daughter, Melissa Watson Tilley and husband, Jamie Tilley; granddaughter, Peyton Tilley; grandson, Callen Tilley, all of Newport News, VA; sister, Shirley Folies; brothers, Eddie Brantley, Marshall Brantley, William Brantley, and Daniel Lynes, Jr.; and many nieces and nephews. A Memorial Service will be held at 12:00 Noon on January 16, 2016 at Thomas C. Strickland & Sons Funeral Home in Pooler, Georgia. In lieu of flowers, donations are welcome and should be made to The Cancer Research Institute, One Exchange Plaza, 55 Broadway, Suite 1802, New York, NY 10006 or by donating online at www.cancerresearch.org.