Jessie Alberta Beason

Jessie Alberta Wilson Beason, age 89 of Bolivar, passed away at 5:30 A.M. on January 3, 2017 at Cox Medical Center. She was a lifetime Polk Countian and a recent resident of Parkview Health Care Facility. Jessie was born on February 11, 1927 in Bolivar, MO, the only child of Merle (Pursley) Martin and Hess Martin. Jessie was a graduate from Bolivar High School in 1945. She was united in marriage to Charles Wilson, and to this union two sons were born, Richard Wilson and Thane Wilson. Her husband Charles died in 1984. Eleven years later she was married to Robert (Bob) Beason on January 26, 1995. Preceding her in death were her parents, first husband Charles, son Thane, and late husband Bob. Jessie was a devoted member of the First Christian Church of Bolivar since 1941, and in former years was a youth group leader, children’s’ Sunday school superintendent, and faithful VBS worker. She remained active in CWF and church attendance until her death. Jessie loved to knit, and so the yearly church bazaar was always blessed with her contributions. Many long-established friendships enriched Jessie’s life. She also valued her contact with relatives, informally adopting some that she chose to claim as sisters, sons, and daughters. She treasured her membership in The Twenty Club for many years. Her little dogs were dear to her as well, and pictures of them always had a spot on the wall long after they were gone and had been replaced by another little dog. Jessie pursued interesting and varied jobs. In her early years, she worked at the Polk County courthouse. She & Charles later established a dress shop on the Bolivar square known as The Style Shop. For many years on election day she could be found working at the polls. During Thane’s high school years, she loved helping him operate a snow cone trailer. When Thane attended MU, Jessie also moved to Columbia to serve as a sorority house mother. She remained a Tiger fan for life. Later she was also a house mother at SMS. She joined Thane in Florida, temporarily working at Disney. After their marriage, Bob encouraged Jessie’s great love of travel. Among their memorable trips together, the cruises were the most special to her. Jessie is survived by her former daughter-in-law Becky Latko, her aunt Grace Pursley, several cousins: Gayford Gene Pursley, Jerry Carson, Janet Thacker, Steve Pursley and his mother Ann Pursley, George Martin, Karyol Lovett, Alberta Faust, Cecile Felin, Fred Martin, Kenny Martin, Robert Martin, Lavena Culbertson, and many friends. A memorial service for Jessie will be held at 2:00 pm, on Sunday, January 8, 2017, at the First Christian Church of Bolivar. Memorial contributions can be made to the Bolivar First Christian Church.

Jessie Alberta Beason

February 11, 1927 - January 3, 2017