Gladys Jessee

Gladys McGlothlin Jessee, age 94, died from complications associated with Alzheimer’s disease on September 22, 2012, at her daughter’s home in Cary, NC. Gladys was born on March 26, 1918 on Skeggs Branch in Buchanan County, VA in her grandparents’ home. She married Paul Benson Jessee on June 22, 1935 in Pearisburg, VA and resided in Richlands, VA until she moved to her daughter’s home in Cary, NC, in 2010. Mrs. Jesse was the only surviving charter member of the Richlands Presbyterian Church. She was an active member and held offices in the Women of the Presbyterian Church, the Intermediate Women’s Club, a Canasta Club, PTA’s in several schools attended by her children, and various other civic organizations. During her long life Mrs. Jessee pursued a variety of vocations: she was a reporter for the Bluefield Daily Telegraph, the Bristol Herald Courier, and the Roanoke Times, was a substitute elementary school teacher, a saleswoman for Henry Green’s Department Store, Royden’s Family Clothing Shop and for H&N Shoes. She was also a TV Ratings Supervisor with Arbitron Ratings. Gladys worked the poles at the Richlands Precinct during both local and national elections and was active in local politics. She was also known for the quality of her handmade household crafts and decorations, baked breads and candies which she shared generously with friends and family, as well as catering home cooked meals, and held an annual open house for friends and family. Gladys enjoyed being a homemaker and was devoted to her family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mrs. Jessee was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Benson Jessee, her parents, Harvey G. and Lula McGlothlin of Richlands, VA, as well as sisters Dorothy Ann Mullins of Norton, VA and Helen Virginia Dixon, of Kingsport, TN. She is survived by three daughters and sons-in-law, Patricia and Robert Wade, Wardell, VA; Paula Jean and Scot Morrow, Boiling Springs, SC; Virginia McGlothlin Peterson and Stephen Peterson, Cary, NC. Mrs. Jessee is also survived by nine grandchildren, James, Darryl and Michael Wade; Scotty McGlothlin Buff, Paul Shane Morrow, Mary Niradi Morrow, Éowyn Nicole Melaragno, Sasha Reve Lambert, and William Tyler Peterson; eight great-grandchildren, Joey, Shawn, Samantha Jo, Christine Wade and Darryl Wade Jr, Cecilia McGlothlin Buff, Satya Curie Morrow, and Samantha Lenger. She is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews and friends. Funeral services for Gladys McGlothlin Jessee will be conducted Thursday, September 27, 2012 at 11:00am with Buddy McGlothlin, cousin of the deceased, officiating. Graveside Services will follow at the McGlothlin Family Cemetery on Garden Creek. Mark Matney, cousin of the deceased, will be officiating. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, September 26, 2012 from 6 to 9 pm at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands, Virginia. Pallbearers will be Mike Wade, Paul Morrow, Ryan Buff, Jared Melaragno, Stephen Peterson, and William Tyler Peterson. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Gladys Jessee Memorial Fund through The Alzheimer’s Association at www.Alz.org. The family wishes to extend a heartfelt Thank You to the staff of 3HC Hospice Care for the loving care they provided during her final stages of life. Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands, Virginia is in charge of arrangements and those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com

Gladys Jessee

March 26, 1918 - September 22, 2012