Emerson Funeral Home obituary
Jessie L. West, 81, of Jonesboro, died Saturday at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. Born in the Bethlehem community near Clarendon, Mr. West lived in Brinkley before moving to Jonesboro in 1976. He was a WW II veteran and a retired U.S. Air Force Master Sergeant with 25 years of active duty.
Following his military service, Jessie worked several years as a mechanic for Case Equipment in Brinkley, Waldenburg, and Weiner, and also for Payton Crane of Jonesboro.
Survivors include his wife, Rita West of the home; 4 daughters and sons-in-law: Krystal and Mark Clayton of Memphis, Melanie and James Blalock of Olive Branch, Mississippi, Barbara West and Ruby Flowers, both of Kentucky; 1 son: Jessie (Johnny) West, Jr., of Michigan; 4 brothers: Howard West of Stuttgart, Audy Larry West of Amarillo, Texas, David West and Billy Ray West, both of Kalamazoo, Michigan; 1 sister: Roselee West of Kalamazoo; and 11 grandchildren.
Mr. West was a member of First Baptist Church of Brinkley and was preceded in death by his parents, Willie T. West and Ruby Henley West, and by a brother, Thomas West.
Visitation will be held Wednesday evening, 6-8, at Emerson Funeral Home. Online registry: www.emersonfuneralhome.com
Funeral services will be held Thursday morning at 10:30 at Emerson Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Steve Jacobson officiating. A committal service with military honors will be held Thursday afternoon at 2:00 at Shady Grove Cemetery near Clarendon.
For lasting memorials, the family asks that consideration be given to the Shady Grove Cemetery Association, or the American Heart Association.
