John Jessee

Jessee John Henry Jessee, 72, died on Oct. 21, 2010, at his home in the Blue Springs community of Smyth County. He was born in Russell County on Sept. 4, 1938. He served four years in the U.S. Navy and was a veteran. He was employed with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries as a fisheries biologist for 38 years. He was presently employed with Smyth County Solid Waste at the Camp Convenience Station. He was preceded in death by his parents, Laura and Kemper Jessee of Cedar Bluff, and a brother, Clarence Jessee of Springfield. He attended Maranatha Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife of 33 years, Virginia Perkins Jessee; one daughter and son-in-law, Crystal Jessee Musser and husband, Keith, of Rural Retreat; his sons, Wesley Jessee of Trinity, N.C., Aaron Jessee of Trinity, N.C., and Brian Smith and wife, Becca, of Rural Retreat; his brothers, Fred Jessee and wife, Millie, of Springfield, Walter Jessee and wife, Henrietta, of Cedar Bluff, and Eddie Jessee and wife, Juanita, of Abingdon; one sister, Jane Jessee Hula; one sister-in-law, Betty Jessee; and his precious grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Graveside funeral services were conducted at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 23, in Slemp Cemetery in Sugar Grove with the Rev. Clayton Hounshell officiating. Full military honors were rendered by Francis Marion VFW Post 4667. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Sugar Grove Lifesaving Crew, P.O. Box 257, Sugar Grove, VA 24375. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.bradleysfh.com. Bradley's Funeral Home of Marion was in charge of arrangements.