Mae Belle went to Yuma High School in Yuma Arizona where she graduated on Thursday, May 27, 1943. Mae Belle had a beautiful voice and while attending Yuma High School she started singing at the age of 16 and performing for black community functions. Mae Belle had her own radio program every Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m. where she would speak the word. NBC sponsored and broadcast Mae Belle where she was approached by Bob Hope at the age of 17 to sing for the troops and she turned it down to finish her education.
She then went to Los Angeles City College and studied foreign languages and other curriculum and married the love of her life Walter W. Jessie and graduated on Thursday, June 16, 1949 and received a scholarship from UCLA School of Performing Arts where she graduated and received her Master’s Degree.
After receiving her Master’s Degree she moved to San Diego with her husband Walter W. Jessie, where she continued her education and learned to speak French, Spanish, Hebrew and German Fluently and worked for the Department of Social Services and was also a translator and later she worked in the domestic field.
Mae Belle and Walter were blessed with 5 Beautiful Children, Walter Francis, Julia Denise, Joseph Charles and (the twins) Jacqueline and Geraldine. Also, Betty Horne who she loved and called her daughter.
Mae Belle attended Greater Israelite Church of God in Christ, Pastored by Superintendent Elder Harvey Jessie (brother in law) where she received Jesus Christ in her Life. She became a devoted Deaconess, Missionary and Evangelist.
On July 15,1984, Mae Belle received recognition from Jimmy Swaggart ministries for helping intensify the mission’s outreach programs. Also, she was appointed by Greater Israelite Church of God In Christ as President of the Hospitality Board and served in office from February 1989 to February 1990 and appointed by Greater Israelite Christian Center, Church of God In Christ by the 1st Jurisdiction of Southern California to the position of Vice President, Home and Foreign Mission on February 15, 1992.
Mae Belle was known for her beautiful hats, handbags and clothing. Her daughters and granddaughters took after their mother and (grandmother) in fashion.
Mae Belle was known for her delicious Roast Beef, Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, in which she made for the church along with her famous Lemon Jell-O Cake and her family and grandkids loved her Fried Chicken, Catfish, Greens, Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, Cornbread, Candied Yams, String Beans, Cabbage, Lemon Jell-O Cake, Pecan and Sweet Potato Pies and on Saturdays she would make the Best hamburgers and root beer floats.
Mae Belle Jessie was called home on April 10, 2020 by our Lord and Savior because her work here on earth has been completed. Walter Wright Jessie (husband), Julia Denise Norwood (daughter), Joseph Charles Jessie (son), Francis Norfles (Mother), Nelson Norfles (father), Joseph Norfles (brother), David Norfles (brother), Rebecca Norfles Long (sister) and Paul Hassell (brother). Preceded her in death.
To cherish her memory she leaves three children Walter Francis Jessie son, (Dang)
Jacqueline Forjais daughter, Geraldine Hill daughter, (Clayton).
She leaves behind her 22 Grandchildren. Ann Chapman (Efrahyim) of Atlanta, Georgia, Angela Chapoteau (Lesly) of Chesapeake, Virginia, Eric Norwood of San Diego, Natasha Wooten (Eric) of Lemon Grove, California, James Huff 111 (Hannah) of Spring Valley, California. Gregory Dobbs of San Diego, California. Andre Harris of Bonita, California, Steven Arnquist of San Diego, California. Shayla Norwood of San Diego, California, Joseph Jessie Jr. (Natasha) of Seattle, Washington, Julia Jessie of Washington, DC. Melissa Voris of Bonita, California. Candace Hill (Dominique) of Bonita, California and Daniel Voris (Sharon) of Bonita, California and Latisha Horne of San Diego, California.
19- Great Grandchildren. Taylor Chapman, Eric Wooten Jr., Jeannette F. Russell (Markel), Jordan Johnson (Abigail), Brooke Norwood-Vanize, Maetane Scott, Sade Huff, Cameron Chapoteau, Ashiyah Dobbs, Sierra Huff, Devin Chapoteau, Jade Chapman, Jayden (Mae Belle) Downing, Summer Huff, Amritha Jessie and Caspar Hill.
2- Great, Great Grandchildren. Markel Russell Jr. and Jorden Russell.
And a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18