James "Jake" Walter Sessions

James Walter "Jake" Sessions, age 88, passed away on April 14, 2016. He was born on January 8, 1928 in Meridian, Mississippi. Upon the untimely death of his parents, Jake moved into the Methodist Orphanage Home in Jackson, Mississippi at the age of six. At the age of 16, he moved next door to whom would be his future wife, Ella Jean "Jeannie" Robertson. He graduated from Meridian High School and Meridian Junior College. He enlisted in the US Air Force, where he served during the Korean War. In 1952, Jake started working for Southern Pipe & Supply Company in Meridian, MS. He opened a Baton Rouge branch of the company in 1961 and other Louisiana branches. He retired from Southern Pipe in 1985 and started working in the 19th Judicial Court Bail Bond Project and retired as program coordinator in 2005. Still wanting to stay busy, he began working for the Office of the Secretary of State in the Elections Department in 2006. He later moved to the Old State Capitol where he worked in the museum and gift shop until his retirement in August of 2015 at the age of 87. Jake was an active member in the First United Methodist Church where he made many wonderful friends and second family. He served as an usher for over 15 years. He was also a member of the Kiwanis Club of Baton Rouge and Scottish Rite Louisiana Foundation. Jake was passionate about Ole Miss football and could recall every coach, game and most of the players for the past 70 years. He loved and was loved by so many friends he made through his work, church and community and was "Poppy" to his adoring grandchildren and great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his best friend and wife of 56 years, Jeannie Sessions, parents Lucy Coleman Sessions and Isaac Louis Sessions, four brother and five sisters. He is survived by his daughter Jennie Sessions Ponder and husband Judge Michael Ponder; grandsons Michael Casey Ponder and wife Helene, Kelly Sessions Ponder and wife Jene, and granddaughter Katherine Ponder Bergeron and husband Adrian; great-grandchildren Charley Sloan Bergeron, John Harrison Bergeron, Jude Michael Bergeron, Hayes Thomas Ponder, Mackenzie Rose Ponder, Quinn Helene Ponder and Walter Spiron Ponder. He is also survived by his dear friend, Martha Bergeron. Pallbearers will be Casey Ponder, Kelly Ponder, Warren Ponder, Donald Ponder, Dr. Adrian John Bergeron, and Gerard Guidry. Honorary pallbearers will be Harrison Bergeron, Hayes Ponder, Walt Ponder and The Honorable Hillar C. Moore, III, and "the ladies of the Old State Capitol." Visitation will be Monday, April 18th from 10am-until service at 12 noon at Greenoaks Memorial Park and Funeral Home. Our family would like to thank all of his many wonderful caregivers including Dr. Christopher McCanless, Dr. Kenneth "Trey" Blue, Dr. Harold Helmke, Dr. Michael Yorek , the staff of Baton Rouge Hospice and especially to his devoted daily staff Willie Mae, Shun, Mary, and Ivory. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Baton Rouge Hospice, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center or the Methodist Children's home.