Jesse Middleton

Jesse C. Middleton, 82, of Jackson passed away Sunday, Jan. 19, 2014, at his home.

He was born Sept. 30, 1931, in Reynolds County, Mo. He and Willa Marie Bearden were married March 8, 1957, and to this union one daughter was born.

Jesse attended Riverside Elementary and graduated from Des Arc High School in 1949.

He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955.

Jesse was of the Assembly of God belief. He was converted at the Vulcan Assembly of God and joined the Des Arc Assembly of God Church. He later joined the Fountain of Life Tabernacle in 2010 where he had attended since 1998 when he moved to Jackson.

He worked at Brown Shoe Factory and then ISP where he retired in 1997. After retirement Jesse and Willa moved to Jackson to be closer to their daughter. He enjoyed picking up walnuts and spent many hours mowing grass at home and taking care of the church yards. Anytime you saw Jesse, you saw him with a smile.

Survivors include his wife, Willa Marie of the home; a daughter, Angela Middleton of Jackson; a brother, Doyle Middleton and wife Verlina of Piedmont, Mo.; two grandchildren, T.C. and Kelsey Dobbs; and two great-grandchildren, Porsha Kerr and Makayla Dobbs.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Christopher Columbus Middleton and Ethel Brawley Middleton; and a brother, Paul Middleton.

Visitation will begin at 5 p.m. today at Fountain of Life Tabernacle.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the church. Burial will be in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery at Bloomfield.

Ruegg Funeral Home in Piedmont is in charge of arrangements.