Lawrence Raymond Jesse

Raymond Lawrence Jesse was born December 25, 1928 to Robert and Frances Jesse. He passed away Friday, July 9, 2021 in his home. He was a staff sergeant in the U.S. Air Force, a flight engineer for TWA and a retired laser technician for Shoring and Supply out of Overland Park, Kansas. Larry and his late wife, Elizabeth were founding members of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Overland Park, where Larry taught and served as a deacon for more than 40 years. After moving to Greenwood, he and Elizabeth joined the Greenwood First Baptist Church.

Larry was a faithful servant of Christ. He took great pleasure seeking God, often reading through the Bible in a year. Years ago, during a particularly hard time, the Lord led him to Psalm 139. According to Larry, this chapter changed his life and it remained his favorite chapter in God’s word for the rest of his life.

He is survived by three sons, David Jesse of Kansas City, KS, Keith Jesse (Becky) of Greenwood and Brian Jesse of Greenwood; three sisters, Anita Vegiard and Laura Cornwell (Lee) of Missouri and Della Sobek (Larry) of Ohio; one brother, Harry Jesse of Missouri; eight grandchildren and ten and a half great grandchildren. Larry was preceded in death by his brother, Robert Jesse and his loving wife of more than 61 years, Elizabeth Jesse.

Funeral service will be 10 a.m., Thursday, July 15 at McConnell Funeral Home Chapel in Greenwood with burial at the U.S. National Cemetery in Fort Smith. Viewing will be Wednesday from 1 – 7 p.m. at the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be Keith L. Jesse, Chris Brewer, Luke Brewer and Larry Cornwell. Honorary pallbearers will be Larry Sobek, Harry Jesse, David Perry Jesse, Brian Anton Sanders, Bud Peters and Blake William Brown.

To sign an online guestbook, please visit www.mcconnellfh.com.