Jessie Willard McAliley, age 90, of Columbus, Georgia (formerly of Eufaula, AL), passed away on September 23, 2026. Born in Pearson, GA on September 18, 1936, Jessie will be remembered as a beloved, kind-hearted presence whose life was marked by devotion to faith, family, and the people fortunate enough to know her.
Jessie worked at as a credit manager from the Household Finance Co. and the Chamber of Commerce of Eufaula, AL. She was a member at First Baptist Eufaula for 41 years, where her love for Jesus and steady, prayerful spirit were evident to all—someone you could always talk with about church and Sunday school class.
Family was the center of Jessie’s life and the truest part of her legacy. She was married to Harold T. Willard for 38 years before his passing, and later remarried Kenneth C. McAliley; they were married for 31 years before his passing. Jessie was preceded in death by her two loving husbands, Harold T. Willard and Kenneth C. McAliley; her parents, John L. and Mary E. Watts; along with her siblings, James H. Watts, John L. Watts Jr., Georgiane Redick, and Kathryn Roesch.
Jessie is survived by her children, Denise Smith (Robert), Dan Willard (Bonita), Jay Willard (Nancy), Lisa Powell (Doyle), and Diane McAliley; grandchildren, John Dayman (Tabatha), Daniel K. Willard Jr., Thomas R. Willard (Devan), Jason Willard (Amber), Justin Willard (Sara), Courtney Jennings (Jonathan), Caroline Hardege (Alan), and Logan Powell (Colleen); as well as 15 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren.
Those who knew Jessie knew her gift for bringing people together. She loved to host family and friend gatherings, and she took special joy in decorating for every season. She also loved traveling and cherished her Birthday Club friends, holding those friendships close with the same steady care she gave to family.
Visitation for Family and Friends will be held at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 4071 Macon Road, Columbus, GA 31907, on September 28, 2026, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 4071 Macon Road, Columbus, GA 31907, on September 29, 2026, at 11:00 am.
