Jessie F. Carrell

Jessie F. Carrell, 89, of Chetopa, passed from this life at 8:15 a.m., Thursday, August 26, 2021, at Coffeyville Regional Medical Center.

Jessie was born on October 20, 1931, to Albert and Cora (Stice) Carrell in rural Oswego, Kansas.  He grew up and attended school through the 8 ^th grade at the Shiloh School in rural Oswego.

As a young man, he worked cutting logs near Oswego.  He ventured out to California for a short time where he worked in rice fields running dozers.  In 1950, Jessie joined the United States Army, and was stationed in Alaska, where he served our country until 1953.

He then returned to Chetopa and met the love of his life, Mary Alice Smith, on April 23, 1953.  The couple was married on July 26, 1953, at the Assembly of God Church in Chetopa.  They recently celebrated 68 years of marriage.

After the couple married, they moved to California, where their daughter, Charlotte was born.  Weeks later, the family returned to Chetopa.  They then moved to Tulsa, where Jessie worked for Boeing for four years.  During that time, their son, David, was born.  The family moved back to Chetopa and over the years Jessie worked for Phillips 66, Huntsman in Chetopa and Union Gas in Edna.  In 1986, Jessie was struck by lightning while hauling propane and was disabled the remainder of his life.

Jessie's first love was God.  He was a member of the First Assembly of God in Chetopa for many years.  In 1973, he helped build the "new" church building, which is now the Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home.  Besides helping build the church building itself, Jessie served as Sunday School superintendent, deacon, secretary/treasurer, janitor and any other job that needed filled.  After the church closed, he became an active member of the Community Bible Church in Chetopa.

A close second to his love of God, was his family, especially his grandchildren.  He was never happier than when he was surrounded by them.  Jessie also had a great love for his John Deere lawn mower, which he spent many hours on when the weather was right.  He enjoyed playing Dominoes, an activity that he said relaxed him.

Jessie was dearly loved by his family and all who met him.  He will be greatly missed.

Survivors include:

His wife – Mary, of the home

One daughter – Charlotte Kinney of Bartlesville, Oklahoma

One son – David Carrell of Chetopa, Kansas

Four grandchildren – Kyle Kinney and his wife, Courtney, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Nichole Parsons and her husband, Dane, of Bartlesville, Oklahoma

Jennifer Hine and her husband, Jake, of Oswego, Kansas

Amanda Carrell of Leavenworth, Kansas

Seven great-grandchildren – Jaycee and Ethan of Bartlesville, Oklahoma; Khloe, Krew, Jett and Austin of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and Madison of Oswego

One brother – Herb Carrell, of Harrison, Michigan

Several nieces and nephews and many friends

He was preceded in death by his parents and 12 brothers and sisters.

The funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m., Monday, August 30, 2021, at the Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Chetopa.  Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 6 – 8:00 p.m., Sunday, at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to the Community Bible Church in Chetopa.  These may be left at or mailed to the Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 346, Chetopa, KS  67336.