Jessie Ruth Moore Horsley, 96, passed away peacefully at her home, with family holding her and loving her, on Saturday, March 10, 2018, in Gloucester.
Jessie was born May 1, 1921 in Gloucester, the daughter of the late Leonidas Rosser Moore and Emily Ruth Walker Moore.
A graveside “Celebration of Life” will be held at Bellamy United Methodist Church on Saturday, March 31 at 2 p.m.
Jessie was a graduate of Botetourt High School Class of 1939. Oh, how she enjoyed their many class reunions. She was a dedicated homemaker, wife, mother, sister, “Memaw,” and aunt to all of her loving family. She was always home waiting to greet her family with loving arms and a hot meal ready. She loved reading her Bible and paper daily, watching TBN, playing Scrabble with her sisters, playing and caring for her grandchildren, bird watching, being outdoors, digging at excavation sites, playing in the snow, caring for her flowers and herbs, traveling, the beach, crocheting and embroidery, dancing with the love of her life, husband, Norman, crafts, and watching the cooking channels. She was just the best Memaw and cook ever! Jessie always said, “If you have lemons, make lemonade” and “No fools, no fun!” She had to make a lot of lemonade and had plenty of fun with her witty sisters through the years.
She loved the Lord and gave her life to the Lord at 12 years old. She was a member of Bellamy United Methodist Church where she attended until she was no longer able to go, but truly believed in tithing and never missed sending in her financial support until her death. She also gave regularly to many organizations like TBN and especially St. Jude’s. Jessie loved attending church where she was a long-time member of the Bellamy XYZ Club. There she started a fund drive, which she named “The Mustard Seed Fund.” It was a fund to save a mile of pennies to put new carpet in the church. That dream came true through her dedication. The penny drive continued to meet other needs. She sent cards to everyone for many years, and just gave that up a few years ago. She also was a member of the quilting group there. Jessie was dedicated to visiting the homebound and those in nursing homes. She went on her own, on a regular basis, and then with her daughter until she was no longer able to go. She would light up a room wherever she went, with her fun-loving personality.
Jessie was also a member of the Walter Reed Improvement League along with her husband, Norman Horsley. They worked many years side-by-side fundraising to build the building. Many fun times, family and community events, craft and cooking classes, dancing and dance lessons… were enjoyed there.
Jessie was predeceased by her loving husband of almost 60 years, Norman Horsley; her parents, and her siblings, Russell Moore (Elsie), Vivian Milby (Hugh), Shirley Bohannon (Wilmer), Alex Moore (Doris), Helen Carmine (Lee), Marie Crouch (Chester), Audrey Moore, and baby sister, Elsie Loreen Moore. She was also predeceased by her sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Eugene Smith, Andrew Walton, Roland Milby, Archie McRoy, Hazel Dunston (Dorsey), Dorothy Johnston (Wendall), Esther Teagle (Lewis), Herman Horsley (Pauline), Marguerite Leigh (Richard), Earnest Horsley, and her infant granddaughter, Jessica Marion Allmond.
Jessie is survived by her children, William Norman “Butch” Horsley (JoAnn), Marsha West (Bruce), and Myra Allmond-Clements (John); her siblings, Marion McRoy of Gwynn’s Island and Williamsburg, Katherine Smith of Gloucester, and Elizabeth Walton and Frances Cox (Herbert Cox) of Shacklefords; sister-in-law, Ruby Jean Moore of Gloucester, and sister-in-law, Barbara Dutton (Eugene) of Williamsburg; her grandchildren, Andy Horsley (Nikki), Brian Horsley of Gloucester, Jason West of Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, Stephanie Jenkins (Chris), Emily Allmond-Flippin (Bobby) and Aaron West (Brittany) of Gloucester. Jessie leaves behind nine loving great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren, and a host of the most precious nieces and nephews.
Special thanks to Dr. Christine Conley and her office staff who took such good care of her through the years; Kathy Dency (sisters, Wonza and Ann), Patricia and Billy Hogge, Carolyn Moore, and Cheryl Bohannon for their constant visits, cards, love, kindness and care through the years. She loved you all dearly.
Jessie and her family have requested that in lieu of flowers or food, memorial donations may be made to Gloucester Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad, P.O. 1417, Gloucester, Va. 23061. They had truly become her best friends through the later years. They were always there and so kind and compassionate when needed.
Mom, you have wanted to go back home for so long. We find comfort in knowing you are finally at rest and peace in Heaven’s hands, until we meet again.
Be still and know that I am God… Psalm 46:10. Her favorite!
Andrews Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of arrangements.