Monroe "Smokie" Jessup

Monroe "Smokie" Jessup age 96, passed away Monday, Oct. 31, 2016 surrounded by his family at the Willowood Assisted Living in Mustang. He was born January 24, 1920 in Mt. Airy, North Carolina near Siler City. He was the 2nd of eight children born to Erastus Jessup and Ella (Gammons) Jessup. Smokie grew up a farm boy working on the family farm and attending Bonlee country school. As a teenager he gave his life to Christ and continued to be a faithful Christian all of his life. While in school he enjoyed playing baseball and was later offered a pitching contract with the New York Yankee's farm team. He turned it down to stay at home and help support the family. In 1939 he joined the U. S. Army and proudly served his country during WWII, serving nearly six years. He spent time at Ft. Bragg, NC and at Ft. Sill, OK. Smokie was awarded (3) bronze stars, the EAMET Campaign Medal and the American Defense Service Medal. He served in Northern France, Rhineland and Central Europe. After being honorably discharged he returned Oklahoma where he married Eletha Bell in 1946. Together they raised one daughter, Gloria Jean. Smokie enjoyed spending time with Gloria teaching her how to hunt and fish. They also enjoyed riding horses and going to horse shows. Smokie worked most of his life as a professional Brick Mason and later Building and Home Contractor. He was a member of the Bricklayers Union Local #5 in OKC. In 1965 he moved to Tuttle and attended the Tuttle First Baptist Church and had taught Sunday School. In 1979 Smokie married Virginia Smith and together with several other couples enjoyed traveling to Yuma, AZ; Ruidoso, NM; South Texas and later made their home at Lake Eufaula, OK in 1985. In 2006 he moved to Mustang to be closer to his daughter Gloria and her family who lived in Tuttle. Smokie was preceded in death by: Parents, Erastus and Ella Jessup; Wife, Virginia Jessup in 2014; Two sisters, Gladys and a infant Ruby; Three brothers, Cleo, Aubrey and Bill; He is survived by: One daughter, Gloria Jessup and Glen Adams of Tuttle, Two sisters, Versie and Betty of NC; One granddaughter, Mandy York and husband Wes of Tuttle, Two great grandsons, Quinton and Ethan York of Tuttle; Several nieces, nephews and a host of friends. Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Friday, Nov. 4th 2016 at Wilson-Little Funeral Home in Newcastle, OK. Interment will be at Fairview Cemetery in Tuttle. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Sunbeamfamilyservices.org.

Monroe "Smokie" Jessup

January 24, 1920 - October 31, 2016