Jesse J. Birchfield
June 30, 2015
Date of Service: July 3, 2015
Interment Location: Mausoleum of Peace
Jesse James Birchfield, of Elizabethton, a wonderful great big beautiful Christian man, who was so loving to everyone, left this earth Tuesday, June 30, 2015 to live with Jesus. Born July 21, 1931 in Carter County to the late Jesse James and Sudie Graybeal Birchfield. He was a graduate of Elizabethton High School and Duke University. Jesse served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. He was a former teacher & Coach at Unaka High School. He was a retired District Manager with Syntex Pharmaceutical of California. He was a former Professional Football player and was an official with the Southern Conference of Football. Jesse was a Sunday School Teacher, Superintendent of Sunday School, Chairman of the deacon board, Treasurer & Choir member of First Free Will Baptist Church for 50 years. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his sisters: Vivian Baker and Doris Lawrence, his brother: Robert “D.L.” Birchfield, his precious mother-in-law: Georgia Kate Pope, his brothers-in-law: Sonny Hale & Jerry Pope, and sister-in-law Joy Pope.
Survivors include his wife of 55 years: Joyce Pope Birchfield, Daughter: Dr. Jessica (Katie) Gladstone and husband Bob of Hollywood, Florida, Sister-In-Law: Leta Hale, and many special nieces, nephews & cousins, a god child: Tiffany Taylor Jenkins, his special angel, whom he loved dearly, Judy Carver Deloach.
A Service to Celebrate the life of Jess Birchfield will be conducted at 10 a.m. Friday, July 3, 2015, in the Mausoleum of Peace, Happy Valley Memorial Park with the Rev. Raymond Amos and Rev. Preston Sartelle officiating. Music will be by his daughter Dr. Katie Gladstone and David Arney. Active Pallbearers who are requested to assemble at the funeral home at 9:20 a.m. Friday will be Ron Carver, Lynnwood Barfield, Charles “Dude” LaPorte, Kim Birchfield, Kenny Webb, Joseph Taylor, Vic Deloach, Victor Deloach, Gerald Jenkins and Josh Garrison. Honorary Pallbearers will be: Howard Bowers, Berlin Benfield, Charles Hollowell, Ralph Stout, Ted Tipton, Bobby Glass, Bill Greene, and his devoted & loving neighbors Jennifer & David Arney. To those who prefer, memorials may be made in memory of Jesse to the First United Methodist Church, 325 East E Street, Elizabethton, Tenn. 37643. The family would like to express a special “Thank You” to the entire staff of Ivy Hall Nursing Home for their beautiful and loving care of Jesse. Family and friends will assemble at the funeral home at 9:20 a.m. Friday to go to the cemetery. Condolences may be sent to our web site; www.memorialfcelizabethton.com
Memorial Funeral Chapel is serving the Birchfield family.
