Big Stone Gap Post, Big Stone Gap, VA
Obituary of David Lee Jessee

4/4/1917 DAVID LEE JESSE      David Lee Jesse was born December 11, 1844 and died February 13, 1917. Brother Jesse was married to Miss Rebecca J. Litton, November 8, 1868. To this union were born ten children, five of whom died in infancy. The youngest daughter of those who reached womanhood, Mrs. Letcher Gilly died at Norton, Va., four years ago. W. W. Jesse, of Dryden, Va., Ewing Jesse, of Newport, Pa., Mrs. Lizzie Noel, of Pennington Gap, Va., Mrs. W. B. Kilbourne, of Big Stone Gap, Va., were at their fathers bedside during his last days to help their mother administer to his wants and comforts. Mr. Jesse was a confederate soldier in the artillery service, and he had no apology to make for his devotion to the lost cause. After farming for a few years at the old home place in Hickory Flats he moved to the farm on which he died. His farm was a modest one. Made so by his careful management and untiring industry. Valuable lessons have been learned by persons while riding along the road observing his work on the farm. But how much better to talk with him and catch the true spirit of the farm and man. He was a friend to education, having largely contributed to the building of Jefferson Institute and Dryden High School building. His service as school trustee under two division Superintendents were graciously rendered for the betterment of school conditions. The heritage left his wife and children is of more value than the large farm, that of a good name. His health was remarkably good until two or three years ago when Bright's disease developed. This caused his death. Mr. Jesse was not demonstrable in religious matters. He acted with Christians in two services of meetings held at Dryden and seemed to enjoy the services. He was liberal toward the church, contributing to the support of the ministry and the erection of churches. His home was open to the ministers visiting in the community, and he always liked those visits. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. J. B. Craft. The profusion of flowers were a token of the love and esteem of the family and friends. The burial was at the family burying grounds near Dryden, Va.