Jessie Mae Burkhead

Jessie Mae Burkhead was born the daughter of James Edward Johnson and Lola Mae (Wheeler) Johnson, on March 28, 1927, in Alton, Missouri and departed this life May 9, 2013, in West Plains, Missouri at the age of 86 years.

She was united in marriage December 24, 1946, in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas to Harrold J. Burkhead, who preceded her in death January 29, 1998.

She is survived by one son, John Edward Burkhead and wife, Anna Mae of West Plains, Missouri; one granddaughter, Sarah Jo Burkhead Whittle and husband, Neal of Tahlequah, Oklahoma; two brothers, James Johnson of Alton, Missouri, and Phillip Paul Johnson of Merkel, Texas.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harrold Burkhead; her parents, James “E.” and Lola Mae Johnson; two sisters, Marian Evans and Glee Johnson; and five brothers, Boyd, Ned, Nolan, Glen, and Don Johnson.

Jessie Mae was a proud homemaker and also worked at Puritan Fashions in Thayer. She attended the First Baptist Church in Thayer for several years. From 1987 until March of 2013, she volunteered at Fun and Friends Senior Center in Thayer. Both her late husband Harrold and Miss Jessie, in their retired years, served faithfully as dedicated volunteers at Fun and Friends. She will be remembered for driving the Fun and Friends van to deliver “meals on wheels” or to deposit the money at the bank each day.

Jessie was a loyal Thayer Bobcat fan. She attended basketball and football games when weather permitted and always had her kitchen chair pulled up on the “fifty yard” line in front of the radio. Miss Jessie listened faithfully to K95 for all the games – boys and girls.

She will be remembered as a loving mother and grandmother, a wonderful sister, and a loyal friend. To her brothers, Jessie was always called by her nickname “Pug!” Jessie loved to make quilts which she shared with family and friends. She will be truly missed by all who knew her.

Funeral services for Mrs. Burkhead will be held on Monday, May 13, 2013, at 10:00 a.m., at Carter Funeral Home Chapel in Thayer, Missouri, with Pastor Jeff Smith officiating.

The family will receive friends at the Funeral Home in Thayer on Sunday evening, May 12^th from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Fun and Friends Senior Center, 100 Chestnut Street, Thayer MO 65791, or may be left at the Funeral Home.

Burial will be in Thayer Cemetery under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc. in Thayer, Missouri.