Jessie B Hunter

It has been said (years passed) that you can tell a lot about a person simply by sitting in their vehicle, starting the ignition and waiting to hear what radio station they are tuned-in to. For Jessie B Simmons Hunter, it was the contemporary Christian station K-LOVE, 88.1 FM. One would reckon, you could find out a little more if you were to start digging through their personal items. What was found was a gospel compilation CD, Kenny G., Garth Brooks and one of her great favorites, Lady Gaga. This may not be your traditional and standard obituary, but she was no traditional or standard person.

Jessie B Simmons Hunter was passionate, compassionate, loving, open-minded, honorable, fearless, accepting and so much more. She greatly loved her home and birthplace of Start, Louisiana (born November 29th, 1944) and she deeply loved the Lord, who heard her cry for salvation at a young age. Jessie was a devoted member of the St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church. There she was under the leadership of Pastor E.J. Jones beginning in 1958 until she was able to continue her established devotion at her new church home, the Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church from the mid-1980’s until she was called to glory on Saturday, January 9th, 2021. There she was under the leadership of Pastor Charles Hunter, until his passing in 2002. Then, Pastor E. Allen Stanley Jr., was her earthly shepherd.

At just seventeen, Jessie chose to leave the comforts of the south and followed her own path, to California. There she lived and worked for several years, while living with her aunt. It was her time in California that she would reminisce so fondly of her time in the work force, yet there were not very many times that the memories of the life she lived were not shared fondly.

Jessie, moved to Tucson, AZ in 1966 and married Johnelle Hunter. Together they raised 8 children.

In fifty-fours years Jessie, literally moved a mountain. Just a little piece every opportunity she had, because there is a time to gather stones and there is also a time to scatter them. She moved from her and her husband’s first start “on the mountain” to their home in the Enchanted Hills. They shared this home for 53 years, together. She helped her husband eventually move his barbershop from A-Mountain to the well-known corner of 6th and Stone. She helped move her children from the foothills of Cholla High School to pursue multiple trade and college degrees. (For Jessie, education was of the utmost importance and her children knew this.) Why move a mountain? Why scatter stones? Influence. Impact. Imagination. Her influence goes above and beyond any mountain. Her impact was great and will be felt for generations. Her imagination taught us to ask, “why not?” instead of “how?” Yet, how did she do it? In Psalm 121, the psalmists asks, “where does my help come from?” Jessie’s help came from the same place. Her help came from the Lord.

You will remember her smile. You will remember her songs. You will remember her mastery of the kitchen. You will remember her friendship. You will remember her kindness and giving spirit. You will remember her mothering and her wisdom. You will remember your sister. You will remember how greatly she loved the Lord and you will remember that all this can be proven, by remembering the life that she lived.

Jessie was preceded in death by her parents Jimmie and Luella Simmons, her step-son Marvin Hunter, her brothers and brothers-by-law: Jimmie Jr., Willie B. Dorsey, Horace Sr. and Thomas.

She leaves to cherish her memories and honor her legacy her husband, Deacon Johnelle Hunter and the beautiful children they raised together: Denise Jones Burrell (Husband Ron and son Teron); Sharon Hunter Kelley (Children: Crystal, Richard, and Idei); Randy Hunter (Wife: Patty and sons Daniel and Randel); Aadrain Simmons (Wife Priscilla and children Tara, Halle, Sidney, Brandon, and Savannah); Children of Marvin: Marvin, Corey, Tony, Dora, Theresa, Tiffany and Elijah; Deacon Lamar Hunter (Wife: Amy and daughter Jaime); Danelle Hunter (Partner Gina and children Victoria and Alexander); and the youngest of their eight, Janelle Hunter. “For eight is enough to fill our lives with love!”

Jessie also, leaves her Louisiana sons Maurice and Nazun Simmons, her dear friend Catherine Roosevelt, her siblings (Florida Curry, Florden Roberson, James Simmons (Barbara), Ruby Watts, Shirley Simmons and Mary Alexander), her deaconess ministry, church family, and a multitude of friends, family and acquaintances that would be encouraged to extend kindness, love, hospitality and respect to all they encounter. Honor the legacy. Honor each other.