Jesse Whitten's Obituary
Jesse Whitten Obituary
Jesse Whitten Sr. was born on June 11, 1942 in Bessemer Alabama to Moses and Annie-Bell Whitten. He was reared in a loving home where he was the sixth of seven children. Both of Jesse’s parents, 2 sisters and 4 brothers preceded him in death. Jesse graduated from Dunbar High School and served in the United States Army for 4 years. Jesse graduated from the 82nd Airborne Academy in Fort Brag, North Carolina. Jesse loved the thrill of jumping out of airplanes! During his military tenure, Jesse became known for being the top Chef and Baker in his Battalion. He was honored to receive several awards for his specialty cooking and baking skills while serving his country.
Jesse later graduated from Los Angeles College majoring in the Culinary Arts after his honorable discharge from the military. It was during that time that he met and married Bettie Jo Wade, the love of his life. Shortly after their marriage, Jesse moved his family to Harvey, Illinois where he and his loving wife raised 7 wonderful children: Jerry, Jesse II, Jacquelyn, Jessina, Jesaiah, Jessica and Jeremy. One son Jesse II preceded him in death. Jesse accepted Christ into his heart by faith in 1967, before moving to Illinois. Jesus became Jesse’s personal Savior and delivered him from his sins. Through his new life in Christ, his wife Bettie was convicted of her sins and gave her heart to Christ. Bettie has since remained faithful to the Lord for over 51 years. Jesse stated time and time again, that next to falling in love with Jesus; marrying his wife, was the next best thing he had ever done. He looked forward to family gatherings and Bettie Jo’s sweet potato pies. In their loving home, Jesse and Bettie along with their children experienced many fond and unforgettable adventures. Jesse and Bettie enjoyed 52 ½ wonderful years of marriage, until the Lord called Jesse home. Jesse loved his devoted wife Bettie, unwaveringly until the end.
Jesse was revered as a strong man of God and a hard-working provider for his family. Jesse had many gifts and talents. Jesse leveraged his entrepreneurial vision along with his determination to provide for his home to launch several business ventures. In his endeavors to support his wife and children, Jesse owned a steam cleaning business, Bettie Jo’s Bakery, Whitten Catering Services and a Real-estate business. As Jesse involved his family in the businesses, he exposed his children to critical life-skills, lending to his children’s exposure to various leadership opportunities.
In doing so, Jesse afforded the Whitten children to develop high-performing work ethics, which have benefited them in their professional pursuits, even to this day. Jesse and his family will be well remembered for their excellent catering services in the 1980’s and early 1990’s. Jesse took meticulous care in preparing so many beautiful and delicious wedding cakes for his church family during that time. Jesse also worked as a Chef, Baker and Food & Nutrition Supervisor for many years at various reputable organizations such as: Oak Forest Hospital, the University of Chicago and Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
Jesse truly loved the Lord. He was well known for his zeal for God, the doctrine of God and Minister Crystal Bailey’s teaching in the Sunday Morning Bible School class at the Church of God. He was truly inspired by the word and the Spirit of God and enjoyed being a servant to God’s people. Jesse would stand in the congregation to play his Alto Saxophone to the glory of God with his special group or solo. He would render his testimony through songs like; “Amazing Grace” and “Falling in Love with Jesus is the Best thing I’ve Ever Done”. Jesse was an inspiration. He was also a loving father who was very proud of each one of his children’s and grandchildren’s accomplishments. His desire was for all his children to find true salvation.
In 2016, Jesse had a third stroke and for the sake of his health and continuity of care, the family made the difficult decision to move to Buford, Georgia. In Georgia, Jesse had additional assistance and loving hands waiting to provide his care, in what would be his final days. He was reluctant to leave his church family, not knowing that his church family would visit him all the way in Georgia, on a regular and consistent basis. After moving, Jessie and Bettie soon realized they were not forgotten at all. They were overwhelmed by the love of God shown by the constant phone calls, receipt of beautiful cards and flowers, as well as, regular visits from the Saints of God. They were much encouraged, even though Jessie’s health was failing. As Jessie’s health began to further deteriorate; Jessie’s wife Bettie, daughter Jessica Latimore, her husband Maurice along with his granddaughters Jayla and Erika, grandson Jesse III and the entire Whitten family lovingly, collectively and prayerfully cared for Jesse 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Jesse Whitten, please visit our floral store.
Read More
What’s your fondest memory of Jesse?
What’s a lesson you learned from Jesse?
Share a story where Jesse's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Jesse you’ll never forget.
How did Jesse make you smile?