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Submitted: 1/18/24 • Approved: 1/18/24 • Last Updated: 1/21/24 • R1515010-G1515010-S3
Jack
August 7, 1926 - November 24, 1997
Son of William Frank and Lenora Alta Cheatham Whitsitt
Jessie
February 6, 1927 - October 3, 2021
Jessie Jewell Whitsitt, 94, of Fort Smith, Arkansas, went to be with her beloved Savior Jesus Christ on Oct. 3, 2021. She died peacefully in her home where for the past 21 years she lived independently and happily, serving others through her faith and her gifts of really good homemade sourdough bread.
Jay was born on Feb. 6, 1927, in Paris, Arkansas, to Garrett and Jessie May (Powell) Davis. However, from age 2 she was raised by her maternal aunt, Vivian Hixon, in Paris, Arkansas, whom she called Mom.
After she graduated from high school in 1944, she moved to Fort Smith. She lived on Garrison Avenue and worked at Fort Smith Biscuit Company. Many men courted the dark-haired beauty, and in 1949 she married U.S. Navy veteran Jack Whitsitt of Fayetteville, Arkansas, in Fort Smith.
Jack was a traveling salesman most of his life and they lived all over the South. Their children were born in Birmingham, Alabama; Panama City, Florida; Shelbyville, Tenn.; and Decatur, Georgia.
Jay loved her church, her family and her many friends. She was outgoing, generous and gregarious. The family would like to especially acknowledge her friend and kindred spirit Carol Martin, who shared Jay's unwavering love of the Lord and who was her morning-coffee confidante, Bible study companion, and helper. We offer her our heartfelt love and thanks.
Jay is preceded in death by Vivian Hixson; her husband, Jack; and sons Jack Jr. and Jeff. Her surviving children are Greg Whitsitt of Central City, Arkansas, with wife Donna; Tom Whitsitt of Tulsa, Oklahoma; and Cheryl Whitsitt of Springfield, Missouri.
In a letter to her children, Jay wrote: "I have been truly blessed to be your Mom. You are all so different and at the same time so much alike: hard-working, compassionate, tender-hearted, kind, persons of integrity, and stubborn at times."
We got all those qualities from you, Mom, and we love you bunches.
Photo courtesy of Frances Allen Titsworth
Contributed on 1/18/24 by Billsully060
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Record #: 1515010