Jessee H. Treadaway

Mrs. Jessee H Treadaway passed away on Monday, February 22, 2010. She gently closed her eyes at her son's home in Tucson, Arizona, surrounded by her family. She was born in the Jester, Oklahoma area to J.B. and Dona Harris on April 28, 1921. She grew up on her family's farm surrounded by her loving parents, brothers and sisters. While attending the Plainview schools, at 10 years old, she met Clebern Treadaway. They would date throughout school and in 1943 would marry while he was on leave from the US Army Air Corps. Jessee and Clebern started their post-war lives in Alamagordo, NM, soon moving to El Paso, TX in the early 1950's. They built their family by adopting two newborns, David and Donald, in 1956. The boys were raised with all of the love that anyone could give, and some would say with the patience of Job. They all shared the happiness and struggles of life together until Clebern passed away in 2005. Jessee had a focus on education, both for herself and for others. She attended Cameron Junior College and then Oklahoma A&M where she earned a Bachelor's degree in education. She would ultimately earn a Master's degree from the University of Texas at El Paso. She worked in education all of her career, teaching in schools such as Ocina High in Willow, OK; Alamagordo High in Alamagordo, NM; Jefferson High, Burges High, Bonham Elementary, and McArthur Elementary in El Paso, TX. Eventually she transitioned from teaching to become a diagnostician for Texas' Region XIX Education Center.

Throughout her life Jessee liked to challenge herself, as she did when she taught herself to play the piano and to paint. She particularly enjoyed activities such as playing bridge with her friends. Even when her failing eyesight prevented her from continuing with this much loved pastime, she filled her time with family and with books on tape. Her personal and family intelligence gave her a sharp wit and a library of pithy sayings that will be missed. Faith and service were always important to Jessee. She served in numerous service organizations including Red Cross, Eastern Star, Chi Delta Phi, Sigma Delta Alpha, Epsilon Sigma Alpha and Delta Kappa Gamma. She was a devout member of the Baptist Church throughout her life. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of El Paso for over fifty years until she moved to Amarillo, TX in 2006. There she attended the Paramount Baptist Church. She particularly appreciated the support of the J.O.Y. class at Paramount. In appreciation of this support she asked that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to Paramount Baptist Church, 3801 S Western Blvd, Amarillo, Texas 79109.Jessee was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years; her parents; sisters Sara Johnston, Mary Howard, and Valda "Billie" Harris; and brother Carl L Harris Sr. Left behind to honor her life are her son David Treadaway of Amarillo, TX; son and daughter-in-law Don and Cindy Treadaway of Tucson, AZ; grandchildren Jennifer Treadaway and CJ French of Tucson, AZ; sisters Edra McClung of Elk City, OK, Elbie Heard of Amarillo, TX; brother and sister-in-law Calvin and Winona Harris of Delaware, OK; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Carrol and Jeannette Treadaway of Mineola, TX; and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be Monday, March 1, 2010 from 5 PM to 8 PM at Martin Funeral Home East. A graveside service will be held at Ft . Bliss National Cemetery at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, March 2, 2010.