Jessie Mae Cusic

Jessie M. Cusic, 91, passed away on December 2. Born in a farm community near Douglas, Georgia, her family moved to Jacksonville, Florida in the late 1940's. She was preceded in passing by her parents, Elzie and Lillie Taylor. Jessie's sisters Pat and Elease remember that when Jessie was little her father called her his "little monkey," because she climbed and jumped around the whole house and was always busy. Her sister Minnie recalls that her mother could always count on Jessie to awaken before anyone else in the home and she would have many of the morning chores completed before the rest of the family were up. Even as a child, Jessie was always a hard worker. She married Daniel "Tommy" Cusic in 1950. He passed away in 2006 after having a wonderful marriage and partnership. Jessie is survived by four children: Donald (Sharon), Rose Haga (Sonny), Bruce, and Nancy Rice (Mitch). Her children adored her and will tell you she was the "best mom ever," "a rock star," beautiful inside and out," "so giving," and "very strong." They spoiled their mom and enjoyed every minute of it. In addition to her children, she is survived by her three sisters: Elease Paul, Minnie Westberry Curtis, and Pat Trammall as well as her sister-in-law Eleanor Cusic Alexander. Her siblings Daisy, Pearlie, Carolyn, and MJ preceded her in death as well as two grandchildren, Jeremy and Danny. She is survived by five grandchildren: Aimee, Crista, Jessica, Nicholas, and Caleb; 11 great grandchildren; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. As a pastor's wife, she began a successful church day care center in the early 1970's supporting as many as 150 children at any given time who knew her as "Aunt Jessie." Later in life she started a janitorial business that she managed for over 15 years. She was a strong and loving person who will be greatly missed. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to her church at Lighthouse Christian Fellowship COGOP, 1441 Hickman Road, Jacksonville, FL 32216.. A funeral service will be held in the chapel of George H. Hewell and Son Funeral Home, 4140 University Boulevard, South Jacksonville, FL 32216 on Thursday, December 7, 2023 at 2PM. A visitation will be held between the hours of 1-1:30PM prior to the service. A private burial will take place at a later date at Chapel Hills Memory Gardens.