Bobbie L. Jessel

Bobbie Leath Jessel went to her heavenly home on January 16, 2023. Visitation will be at Hampton Vaughn Crestview Funeral Home on January 20 at 11am-12pm. Graveside service will follow at Chillicothe Cemetery in Chillicothe Texas at 3pm with Rev Don Pellikan.

Bobbie was born November 29, 1937 in Chillicothe Texas to Horace Clinten Leath and Minnie Anderson Leath. She graduated from Chillicothe High School in 1957. Bobbie was the perfect example of a strong independent woman who created her own path in the 1940s and 50s. Her family grew up as farm workers in the Chillicothe area managing and picking cotton, which was a hard life for a young woman. After high school, Mary, Bernice and Bobbie (affectionately known as “the little sisters”) struck out on their own to the big city of Wichita Falls to create a better life for themselves. After attending Drawns Business College, Bobbie and her sisters embarked on their professional careers changing their lives forever.

Bobbie initially worked for a couple of employers, ultimately joining Medders Oil Company as an executive secretary for Tom B. Medders, Sr. As her 25 years with the company flew by, she was considered to be a part of the Medders family.

Ms. Jessel was a member of First United Methodist Church for over 65 years, where she was a member of the Keystone Class. She spent many hours volunteering as part of her service for her church. She was a member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and held various offices with the sorority. She was consistently charitable in her actions and finances. One her favorite experiences was being the executive secretary for the Board of Directors of the United Way for several years. She was able to meet and associate with charitably minded leaders of Wichita County assisting in various giving campaigns under the United Way umbrella.

At the young age of 60, Bobbie married Merton Lewis Jessel in May 1997. Bobbie had been so independent all of her life that after a time of dating, “Mert” said marry me or we are done. Following the wedding, Bobbie questioned why she had waited so long. After 13 good years of marriage, Mert preceded her in death in 2010.

Bobbie was also preceded in death by her mother, father, two sisters Selma White and Linda Leath, brother Eugene Leath and stepson David Jessel, nephew Mike Singer and son Aaron.

Survivors include sisters Mary Leath of Wichita Falls, Berniece Leath of Wichita Falls, nieces Vicki Singer, and Donna Perley and husband David, grand nieces Sarah Horton and Ryan, Megan Bellamy and Brandon, one grand nephew Jason Perley. Other survivors include, five grandchildren, Heather Carlquist husband Chad, Brock Jessel and Rochelle, Chad Jessel, Erica Jessel and Lauren Jessel; five great grandchildren Dylan and Ashley Carlquist and Stone, Aiden and Grant Jessel and many loved ones.

Pallbearers will be David Perley, Chad Jessel, Brock Jessel, Stone Jessel, Aiden Jessel and Grant Jessel.

In lieu of usual remembrances, memorial may be made to a charity of your choice.