Jessie Fern (Zirschky) Williamson, 86, daughter of Jesse Franklin and Edith (Baker) Zirschky, was born Oct. 28, 1928, at Upton, Mo. She passed away at her home in Bucyrus, Mo., on Jan. 21, 2015.
Jessie lived in the Upton community most of her life. She graduated from High School in 1947 and married Doyle Williamson on Dec. 19, 1947, and to this union nine children were born. She taught one year at Pleasant Ridge School and was very proud of that time in her life. Many times over the years some of her former students or their families would comment on her teaching career, remembering her as a special teacher.
She was preceded in death by her parents; Doyle, her husband of 43 years; one daughter, Janet Anderson; grandsons, Ken Maddox, Noel Reynolds and Michael Bilderback; two sisters, Virgie Zirschky and Leora Hayes; one brother Dearl Zirschky; and two sons-in-law, Bill Bilderback and Jim Osburn.
She is survived by her daughters, Roxanna Bilderback of Houston, Mo., Janice Osburn of Republic, Mo., Joan Stice and husband, Ed, of Lebanon, Mo., Jean Kofahl and husband, Chris, of Chatham, Ill., Judy Mitchell and husband, John, of Bucyrus, Mo., Jackie Kell and husband, Greg, of Bucyrus, Mo., Jerri Reynolds and husband, Randy, of White Plains, Md., and Jody Scherer and husband, Roy, of Sparta, Mo.; one son-in-law, Paul Anderson and wife, Becky, of Elk Creek, Mo.; 25 grandchildren; 41 great-grandchildren; a brother, Willis Clay Zirschky and wife, Frances; one sister, Verlene Swearengin; a brother-in- law, Harry Hayes; two brothers-in-law, Carmel Williamson and wife, Arlene, and Allen and wife, Elsie Williamson; two sisters-in-law, Berdella Williamson and Vernita Williamson; and many, many other family members and friends.
She and Doyle raised their family on the farm. There was always hard work to be done, and Jessie was a woman who jumped in to get the work done. She helped milk the cows, took care of the stock, grew large gardens, canned and took care of her family.
She loved being a stay-at-home Mother and would have done that forever, but as the girls grew up Jessie pursued several different jobs to help raise their family. She did take a break in working to be home with Doyle while he was ill and after his death she went to work at the Sheltered Workshop as a supervisor.
Doyle and Jessie lived a short time in California, visited many of the 50 states and traveled to Germany and Poland. Although she enjoyed it, she was always ready to return home, the place where her heart was.
Jessie was a wonderful quilter, making quilts for her children, grandchildren and many other family members and friends. She was an avid reader and enjoyed writing poetry. She enjoyed the once a month visits with her former ’47 classmates. She faithfully attended the Hickory Ridge Baptist Church, working wherever she was needed and always taking her children and grandchildren with her.
Jessie was a woman of perseverance, integrity and love. She believed in hard work and always saw a job completed, even if it meant finishing the yard with the push mower if the “other one” wouldn’t work; forget calling anyone to help, she had an independent spirit and would not let anyone tell her that she couldn’t do something, just watch her get the job done! She always had time to give to family. She took care of her grandchildren when needed and welcomed friends for a visit and cup of coffee.
Jessie lived 86 years. She saw many changes in a nation and even in her neighborhood. She loved her family and spent her life trying to provide all that was necessary for them to excel as individuals. She was very proud of them. We can’t bring her back, but memories of her love will be with us forever.
Services were 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 26, 2015, at Evans Funeral Home with Ed Williamson and Pastor Paul Murray officiating. Pallbearers were Ryan Anderson, Andrew Anderson, Darren Osburn, Drew Kofahl, Chris Kell, Brandon Kell, Alec Mitchell, Michael Mitchell and Zachariah Reynolds. Burial was in Hickory Ridge Cemetery under the direction of Evans Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to Hickory Ridge Cemetery. To send an online condolence, go to www.evansfh.com.
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