A blessing was bestowed upon Evelina White on September 21, 1949, a son whom she named Jesse James White. He was the fourth of six children (Frank Grant, Mack White, Geraldine Jones, Eugene White, and Barbara Edwards). They were a happy family that resided in the small town of White Hall in Lowndes County, Alabama. Jesse was a very jovial child who enjoyed laughter, fun, and mischief. Evidence of his intelligence was almost immediate, and this was clear once he began his education, where he showed an aptitude in mathematics and science. He showed himself highly retentive and great at using his hands. He excelled in construction and even learned to drive by the age of ten. Sadly, tragedy struck the family, which resulted in their relocation. Jesse finished his schooling at Central High School in Haynesville, where he graduated in the spring of 1968 In January of 1970, he was drafted into the United States Marine Corp. He saw the world as he served and was honorably discharged in 1972. He returned home and found work as a skilled laborer, truck driver and a weatherization technician.
During this time, he also pursued his love of baseball, playing for several minor league teams as a catcher and shortstop. Unfortunately, an injury to his rotator cuff forced him to hang up his uniform permanently. Jesse loved to spend time “hanging” with his brothers and led a lively life complete with music, dancing, flashy clothes, card parties, and fishing. Meanwhile, he welcomed two bundles of joy into the world: Diane and Jessie Junior.
Near the end of 1984 (having settled in Cleveland, Ohio, for several years), he was approached by a woman. This woman bore a message that would change his life forever. Her name was Barbara Boyd, and she sparked a conversation with him that prompted him to accept a home bible study. Though he had met Jehovah’s Witnesses before, this time was different. What he learned caused him to dedicate his life to God, which he symbolized by water baptism in early 1985. His love of fishing soon came to hold a new meaning. Like those of Jesus’ apostles, he had decided to become a “fisher of men.”
This life change came with many other blessings. During his journey to Christ, he was exposed to a zealous young sister named Pamelia Warren. He was immediately taken not just by her beauty but also by her ability to stay her Christian walk despite her visual limitations. His fascination led to their courtship and marriage on September 14, 1985. This Union brought about three more precious gifts: Patricia, Philemon, and Micah White.
The duo navigated making a living and raising all their children with strong moral principles and values. Though it was not without challenge, they both supported the family to provide an environment of protection, stability, and love. As they watched their family thrive, they also enjoyed
helping each other make spiritual milestones. Jesse helped Pam study every night each time she was invited to Pioneer school. This effort assisted her in serving for almost two decades. She in turn, was his rock when he was invited to ministerial training school, elder training school, and finally pioneer school himself. He served as an elder and pioneer in both the West Shaker Heights and Scottsdale congregations; he did so faithfully until the moment he fell asleep in death on Friday, July 29, 2022.
He was preceded in death by his daughter LaTonya, his brothers Mack and Frank, his mother Evelina, and his wife, Pamelia.
He leaves to mourn his sister Geraldine (Horace); his brother Eugene; his sister Barbara (Earl); his children Jesse (Tauch) Patricia, Philemon, and Micah; his grandchildren George, Ronald, Micailah, Amara, Malivah and Mika. He also leaves his family in Christ, Juliette and Darryl Russell, and a host of other family members and friends with whom he plans to be reunited in the bright New World in the near future.