Century mark reached by Westside woman
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Bessie Pecola Wreath, a long-time Westsider, celebrated her 100th birthday Oct. 14.
Born in Tennessee, she moved to Colorado Springs in 1934 with her first husband, who died of tuberculosis. According to an account of her life, “in 1938, she decided to apply for a job as a housekeeper for a man named Harvey Wreath. He was a widower and needed someone to care for his two young boys, Ron and Gary. After her interview, she went to leave, and Ron, who was 4 at the time, said 'Don't go!' She was hired on the spot and came to work for them the next day at the house she still resides in. She eventually married Harvey and adopted both Ron and Gary.” Over the years, Bessie helped Harvey (who is now deceased) at his car repair shop on 31st Street and volunteered at Pikes Peak United Methodist Church for about 50 years, including teaching Sunday school. A stained glass window at the church honors her and two other Sunday school teachers. She has six grandchildren, three great-granchildren and one great-great grandchild. Westside Pioneer/press release |