Elizabeth Smith, 43, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, passed Sunday, September 26, 1937. Elizabeth was born to William Smith, and Laura Smith, April 15, 1894. 

    Bessie did not have an available education because her parents had died and her elder sister was taking care of her. After a brief marriage that left her a widow, Smith met Jack Gee. After a whirlwind courtship, in which Smith nursed Gee back to health after he was shot on their first date, Jack Gee and Bessie Smith were married on June 7, 1923, and they lived together in Chattanooga.

  In her recording career, Smith worked with many important jazz performers, such as saxophonist Sidney Bechet and pianists Fletcher Henderson and James P. Johnson. With Johnson, she recorded one of her most famous songs, "Backwater Blues.". She also volunteered at The Bessie Smith Cultural Center. She was honored with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award 1989 & Grammy Hall of Fame 2006, 1993, 1983 · Down Hearted Blues, St. Louis Blues, Empty Bed Blues.

  Elizabeth is survived by 1 child: Jack Gee Jr (No Spouse). When Jack Gee Jr was ten, his father Jack Gee came and took him from Bessie's home when she wasn't there. Bessie Smith is buried near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on October 4, 1937, at 1 pm holding 7,000 visitors Bessie Smith brought to the current blues scene a new kind of vocal sophistication and an unusual kind of vocal power.

She utilized what is called "blue notes," which are notes that fall somewhere between major and minor modes. She also incorporated moans, groans, and vocal slides into her vocals, rather than simply focusing on lyrics. These were innovations that had an immense influence, both on blues and jazz singers.

http://www.bessiesmithcc.org/about/about-bessie-smith-2/ https://www.biography.com/musician/bessie-smith