Jesse Edwin Shearin Jr.

Jesse Edwin Shearin, Jr. died peacefully on March 6th, 2026 at The Barclay House in Tarboro after a brief illness.

Jesse was born on November 4th, 1940, to Jesse Edwin Shearin and Lanell Kennedy Shearin. He married the love of his life and high school sweetheart, Virginia (Jinny) Lynn Walston, on March 31, 1961.

Jesse's other true love was music. He left Scotland Neck to attend Indian Springs, a boarding school in Alabama, to hone his talents in their music program. He promised Jinny that he would write to her every day, and did except one time, so he wrote two letters the next day. He directed the Tar River Choir in Rocky Mount, The Sounds of Gold, and countless other church choirs throughout the area.

When Jesse wasn't singing, directing or performing, he was golfing. Up until a few months ago, if it was over 60 degrees, he was at Scotfield Country Club. Never satisfied and always learning, he was continually tinkering with various aspects of his game.

The community of Scotland Neck was very important to him. Jesse was very generous with his time and had roles in starting and running the new hospital, converting Hobgood Academy to Hobgood Charter School, diving unsuccessfully into politics, writing a column for the newspaper, and other untold attempts to help others.

Jesse is survived by 3 sons, Jesse E. Shearin III (Shivaughn), James W. Shearin (Sue), and William V. Shearin (Jen). He was proud of his 9 grandchildren Jay, Katie, Holly, James Jr, John, Megan, Emma, Olivia, and Juliet, and 3 great grandchildren, Greer, Warren, and Sophie. He is also survived by two sisters, Deanna Schaff and Edwina Shearin.

Jesse was predeceased by his wife Jinny Lynn Shearin, his parents, and siblings Jimmy Shearin and Patricia Alford.

A memorial service has not yet been scheduled.

The family would like to thank the wonderful caregivers at The Barclay House and Hospice of Wilson who showed love and compassion and kept him comfortable.

Memorial donations in Jesse's memory may be made directly to Scotland Neck Rising, Attn – Veterans Memorial, P.O. Box 160, Scotland Neck, NC 27874 or online by clicking here.

Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service - Letchworth Chapel in Scotland Neck is handling arrangements for the Shearin family and online condolences may be directed to the family by visiting www.garrettsykesfs.com.