Harold Ray Jessee

Harold Ray Jessee was born at home on March 31, 1936, in Bristol, Virginia, to Clifford and Pauline Jessee. Harold was the oldest of four children. He is survived by his wife, Jane Jessee, his younger brothers, Paul Jessee, and Jack Jessee with his wife Cindy, and a sister, Mary Lou Thomas with her husband Joe. He is also survived by his three children, Becky Reed, Steve Jessee, his wife Cindy, and Kimberly Armstrong, and her husband Bruce. He has eight grandchildren, John Halman, and his wife Carrie, Heather Verceles, and her husband James, Steven Jessee, and his wife Lindsay, Scott Jessee, and his wife Sara, Ashley Stewart, and her husband Nathan, Bekah Lewis, and her husband Jared, Joshua Armstrong, and his wife Jess, and Caleb Armstrong. He also has 21 great grandchildren.

When he was born, the skin on the front of his forehead had not completely come together. His grandma Hillard‘s sister decided to wrap him up, turn the oven on low, and place him in it, making one of the first homemade incubators. When the doctor returned the next day to check on Harold‘s mother, he asked what they had done with the baby’s body. The doctor was surprised he had survived. Those who knew brother Harold well knew he didn’t get angry (frosted) too often, but on that rare occasion that he did, the red scar would show itself on his forehead.

Brother Harold played trumpet in the high school band and played in the Southeastern Band Festival around Thanksgiving day several years. It was in high school he fell in love with a girl named Molly Jane Whicker. The rest is history! Yesterday was their anniversary of 63 years. You can ask anyone that knows them and they will tell you just how much he loved Mrs. Jane.

Brother Harold did many things over the course of his life from being a printer, working in a bank, to selling cemetery merchandise, as well as mobile homes and RVs. He was born a salesman! He worked his way up to regional vice president with Service Corporation International.

One of Brother Harold‘s favorite things to do was go hunting. He had numerous hunting camps - from Parrot and Swainsboro, Georgia to Live Oak and Jasper, Florida. He loved the fellowship with his many hunting buddies and getting up early to make coffee before going out for the morning hunt.

He loved his church family and the fellowship he had with his fellow deacons as well as the members. Most of all, brother Harold loved the Lord Jesus Christ and realized his need of a Savior. He was always handing out tracts and making notes in his Bible.

Bro. Harold passed on from this life on Friday, November 22, 2019, at 5:30 AM.