Mrs. Mary Ruth Pittillo Jessee

Mrs. Ruth Pittillo Jessee, age 97 of Mount Airy, NC, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 28th, 2015 at the Skilled Nursing Facility at Northern Hospital of Surry County. She was born January 7th, 1918 to the late William J. and Margaret Haws Pittillo in Knoxville, TN. She is a graduate of Knoxville Senior High School, Knoxville TN and East Tennessee State College, Johnson City, TN. After high school she worked as an office manager at Eagleton's Variety Stores and Woolworth's Dry Goods department and an assistant floor manager. After receiving her Bachelor of Science from East Tennessee, she worked at Holston Ordinance Works in Kingsport, TN as an Assistant Manager of the Production Office during World War II. She married Lt. James J. Jessee from Erwin, TN in Roswell, NM in February of 1944. They had two sons, James Jackson Jessee, III and Thomas Alan Jessee. They resided in Ormond Beach, FL where she taught Kindergarten and First grade for 33 years. During her life there, she was the secretary of YWCA, board member of Palmetto Club, Delta Kappa Gamma and Who's Who Among American Teachers. Lifetime member of the following organizations: FEA, VEA & NEA. Also, a member of First Christian Church of Daytona Beach and Ormond Beach First United Methodist as a circle chairman, Sunday school teacher and president of the Woman's Association. After retirement in May of 1984, she volunteered at Osceola Elementary School Library, Meals on Wheels, and various church projects. In February 2003, she moved to Ridge Crest Retirement Center and made new lifelong friends. She is preceded in death by her husband Jack of 55 years and their son Thomas. She is survived by her son James (Jim) Jackson Jessee III, and his wife Linda H. Jessee of Fancy Gap, VA and 3 grandchildren, Jack Jessee and wife Judy of Fairbanks, AK, Jenni Keane and husband Ron of Lake Wylie, SC and Jared Jessee and wife Emily of Fuquay Varina, NC; three great grandchildren, Rede, Sarah Elizabeth and Shepherd of Fuquay Varina, NC. She also had 2 step great grandchildren, Brittany of Rock Hills, SC and Amber of Lake Wylie, SC and 1 step great-great grandchild, Leia of Rock Hills, SC and special friend, Eugenia McLendon. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM, Saturday, March 21st, at Central United Methodist Church by Rev. Jim Pyatt. The family will receive friends in the church parlor one hour prior to the service.

Memorial Service