Phyllis Jesse, 86, of Mexico, died at 2:37 a.m. Nov. 12, 2008, at her home.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, Nov. 15, 2008, at 1 p.m. at Pickering Funeral Home with the Rev. Chris Atkinson officiating. Visitation will be Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. and Saturday from noon until service time at the funeral home. Burial will be in East Lawn Memorial Park.
Mrs. Jesse was born on Sept. 2, 1922, in Mooers, New York, the daughter of Irvine and Pearl Weir. At her mother’s death she was sent to an orphanage. She came to Trenton, Mo., on the orphan train in 1929 and was adopted and raised by George Edward and Ruth Cleveland Crews Woodruff. On July 3, 1943, in Mexico she married Raymond B. Jesse, who survives. She had worked as a nurses’ aide at Audrain Medical Center, and was a member of Centennial Baptist Church. She was an avid bowler, did needlework, and loved to read.
In addition to her husband, survivors include five sons, George Jesse and wife Joyce, Columbia, Harley Jesse, Mexico, Stanley Jesse and wife Sarah, Thompson, Tony Jesse and wife Sherry, St. Martin, and Tim Jesse and wife Dolly, Mexico; one daughter Connie Cole, Atlantic Beach, Fla.; one sister Dorothy Davidson, Mexico; four sisters-in-law, Doris Woodruff, Mary E. Rosenthal, Nancy Miller and Edna Lierheimer and husband Fred, all of Mexico; 11 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Two brothers, Bill “Woody” Woodruff and Eddie Weir, one son-in-law, John Cole, and one granddaughter, Stacey Jesse, preceded her in death.
Memorials may be made to Centennial Baptist Church. They may be sent in care of Pickering Funeral Home, 403 N. Western, Mexico, MO 65265.