Jesse Willard Beasley

Jesse Willard Beasley of Tyler, TX passed away on November 25, 2011 at Trinity Mother Francis Hospital,Tyler, TX at the age of 98 years old. He was born in Rusk, Cherokee County, TX on November 22, 1913 to parents Jewel Howard Beasley, Sr. and Eula Kinney Beasley. Jesse was one of 11 children.

He is survived by one brother, Jewel H. Beasley of Kilgore, TX and one sister, Fae Mangham, of Hurst, TX. His

predeceased siblings were: Charlie, Pete, Frank, George, James, Ruth, Catherine, and Mae. He was

predeceased in death by his loving wife of 48 years, Viola Watters Beasley of Alto, TX.

He is survived by two daughters, Myra Puckett and husband, Dr. Lawrence Verner Puckett of Dallas, TX

and Martha Beighle of Etowah, NC. and former son-In-law, Dr. Phillip Beighle of Chapel Hill, NC. He is

survived by three grandsons, Paul Puckett of Atlanta, GA, Richard Beighle and wife Tara of Wilmington,

NC, and John Beighle of Etowah, NC. He is survived by two great-grandchildren, Gil and Carolina Beighle

of Wilmington, NC., nephew and namesake, Jesse Lee Beasley of Denver, CO, and many relatives in

Texas.

Jesse and his family moved to Tyler in the early 1950's. He worked in the East Texas oil fields most of his

adult life, and retired as a driller for Delta Drilling Company in the 1980's after many years of service.

During World War" he worked in the Houston Shipyards as a welder.

He was a member of Glenwood Methodist Church, Tyler, and later enjoyed attending Green Acres

Baptist Church. He enjoyed his many trips to Europe in his 80's and 90's with the Green Acres travel

groups and with his special friend, Doris Warner. He loved to dance, and especially enjoyed driving his

Model-A Ford Roadster in the Tyler Rose Parades and Christmas Parades.

His funeral service will be conducted by his nephew from Houston, a retired Methodist Minister,

Reverend John Calvin Collier.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in his name to the literacy Council of Tyler, P. O.

Box 6662, Tyler, TX 75711-6662, or to the Tyler Model-A Ford Club, P. O. Box 130953, Tyler, TX 75713-

0953.

A Visitation will be held on Thursday evening from 5:00.7:00 pm at Uoyd-James Funeral Home, 1011 E.

First St., Tyler, with the funeral service being held Friday morning at 11:00. Burial will be at Rose Hill

Mausoleum. Pallbearers are grandsons Paul Puckett, John Beighle, Richard Beighle, brother Jewel H.

Beasley; and Robin Hood Brians. Honorary pallbearers are the members of the Tyler Model-A Ford Club.