Jessie McCracken

Jessie Helen McCracken, age 99 departed earthly life January 11, 2016. She was born June 27, 1916, and was the daughter of the late John Sevier Martin and Mary Ellen Keefauver Martin. She grew up in the Pleasant Valley, Tennessee community.

Jessie was married for 62 ½ years to the late Samuel Buryel McCracken. They enjoyed a yearly vacation together, and were members of the Rook Club at the Jonesborough, TN Senior Center. She was an avid Atlanta Braves baseball fan, and watched their games on television as often as possible. She loved to work the daily crossword puzzle in the newspaper. Jessie was an excellent seamstress; her later hobby was to create latch hook pictures, especially of animals. Jessies’s greatest joy was her family, and she loved watching her great grandsons’ baseball games. She never found fault with the grandchildren or great-grandchildren, and was very generous to Rachael, Katie and triplets Gabby, Jake and Josh.

Six siblings preceded Jessie in death: Willie Keefauver, Kathryn Smith, Louise Woodruff, Sam Martin, John Frederick Clarence Martin, and Theodore Hacker Martin.

She is survived by her daughter Gail and son-in-law Bill Rambo, Son Bill McCracken, and her much loved grandsons Art Rambo (wife Dawn and daughters Katie and Rachael), Brad Rambo (wife Regina and triplets daughter Gabby and sons Jake and Josh), and Scott McCracken (wife Carla), and many nieces and nephews.

Her burial will be at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church (Washington College, TN), on Sunday, January 17^th at 1:30 pm, where she was at the church’s oldest member. At her request, only a graveside service will be performed. The service will be conducted by her nephew, Pastor Sam Smith, pastor of Oakland Church, and Pastor Charlie Morgan, pastor of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church.

The family thanks the entire staff of Caris/Hospice, especially the two who cared for her the longest, nurse Ginger Wilson and Pandora Garcia. We also thank the staff of Agape Nursing and Rehab Center, where she stayed for a short time.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Jonesborough Seniors Center, attn: Mary Sanger, Director, 307 E. Main Street, Jonesborough, TN 37659 (423-753-4781)

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