Jessie Kate Melson

“She is clothed in fine linen and purple” (22)

Jessie Kate (Hayes) Melson was born on February 4, 1937, in Sharpsburg, Georgia to Catherine Hayes (Kirkland). She was the oldest of 8 children 3 of whom preceded her in death. Her remaining siblings include Marvin Hayes, Immanuel Kirkland, Lorraine Kirkland and Hannah Johnson. Her family affectionately called her Katie. Although she relocated to Washington DC in 1964, her siblings and Georgia family always stayed close in her heart.

“A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.” (10-11)

She met and married Flenard Melson and spent the next 73+ years building a life with him and their four children. At some point, she shared a story of their mutual pledge not to enter the ministry. She told him she never wanted to be a preacher’s wife, and he said that was great because he never wanted to be a preacher. But God had a different plan. They dedicated their lives and their home to the ministry of the gospel and taught each of their children to know and love the Lord as their Savior. They instilled faith as the foundation for their family.

“Her children arise and call her blessed.” (28)

The four children born from their union were Willie Lewis (preceded in death), Diane (Johnson), Melvelyn (Greene) and David Bernard (Robin).

Jessie was often the silent partner in the parenting process, but she was a driving force behind the scenes. While Flenard often worked multiple jobs to make ends meet, she ran the household and made sure things stayed on track.

In later years, she went to work in the hospitality field and used her earnings to provide the extras that made life just a bit more special. Her most memorable position was at Dickstein, Shapiro, Morin & Oshinsky law firm. She was well respected there and referred to as “Ms. Jessie”. She wasn’t in charge on paper, but everyone there knew she ran things.

No matter what, Jessie was always who she was. She did not change and always spoke her mind. Some feelings may have been hurt when she told you that she couldn’t eat the food you prepared for her because she didn’t eat gummy bread or the bacon was not crispy enough. You just swallowed your pride and cooked it some more. She also routinely told new parents that she knew more than the doctors and didn’t hesitate to let you know when she thought it was time for babies to give up the bottle and get potty trained.

She loved God first, then family. Her other loves included clothes- lots and lots of clothes, and shoes. When she shopped, she did it with passion and would often buy every color of a dress or shoes they had in the store. In later years, she became fixated on anything in animal print. She amassed an impressive collection of animal print clothing items that she proudly wore wherever she went. You always knew that she would be tickled with any gift you gave her as long as there was some animal print in there somewhere.

She also loved to travel – some of her notable destinations included several countries in Europe, the Caribbean, Hawaii and many other states. She especially loved those trips where she could be pampered by her children and grandchildren. She loved attention – as much as she could get and whenever she could get it.

The family grew to include 9 grandchildren (Eric Kirk preceded in death), 19 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandson. Jessie loved her children, but she really loved showering attention on the grands and bragging about how many of them she had. She smiled and laughed anytime she interacted with them and was proud to sport her crocks specially designed with giblets placed by some of the great grands. She kept snacks for their visits and cherished any photos, videos or facetime calls. Her birthdays were always special because she knew her phone would blow up that day and there would be lots of flowers showing up at her door.

“She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue” (26)

In 1985, Jessie stood with Flenard as he answered the call to start Immanuel Christian Center Church. As First Lady, she embraced the church members as extensions of the Melson family and wrapped her long arms around them whenever she could. She continued to serve faithfully in this capacity even beyond her husband’s death in 2023. The Immanual Christian Center family will always be grateful for her leadership, devotion and friendship with them through many years.

“She is clothed with strength and dignity: she can laugh at the days to come.” (25)

Jessie was an active member of the Bernice Fonteneau Senior Wellness Center for many years. She loved walking to Georgia Avenue to hang out with her “crew” several times a week. She attended classes and served as a role model to others on the importance of keeping fit. She was proud to be featured in a workout video where she encouraged other seniors to “use it or lose it.”

She also loved spending time with her neighborhood crew. One of her favorite things to do was to sit on the porch, take-in compliments on her flowers and engage in long conversations with her neighbors. Though she already had a big family, she was loved and adopted by many more as she listened, gave grandmotherly advice or just gathered in all the neighborhood gossip from her front porch glider.

Whether you knew her as Mom, Granny, Katie, Jessie, Ms. Jessie or Mrs. Melson, you knew her as a bright light that beamed wherever she was. We are forever grateful for the love she shared with us and pray that her light grows brighter in each of us until we see her again.

“Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all. Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. (29-31).