JESSIE TINSLEY

Jessie Durrell Tinsley was born April 29, 1920 in Claiborne Parish Louisiana, the fourth of five children born to Jessie Ermon Tinsley and Lillie Mae McCuen Tinsley. He departed this life for his Heavenly home on January 5, 2018. Jessie (J.D.) was one of the Greatest Generation. He served in the Civilian Conservation Corps, US Maritime Service until the beginning of World War II when he joined the United States Marine Corp, serving in the 2nd Division Marines from 1941-1945. He fought in the Pacific WWII battles of Okinawa, Guadalcanal, Saipan, Tinian and Tarawa and received the Bronze Star for meritorious service and valor in combat and earned the rank of Master Sergeant. During the Korean War he served stateside as a combat instructor. At war's end, he married the love of his life and the girl who had waited four years for his return, Mary Christine Cater and together they raised their two children and made their home in Texarkana for over 65 years until her death in 2012. Like most of the WWII soldiers, he did not share with his family the atrocities of war but late in his life he opened up and shared his stories during interviews documenting the experiences of these veterans. Jessie was a devout Christian and member of Beech Street First Baptist Church. He was an ordained Deacon and served his church and our Lord as a Sunday school teacher and in many other church positions through the years. Jessie was an electrician and electrical contractor. He was co-owner of AA Electric Company and a past president of local 301 IBEW. He was a retired member and past president of the Arkansas Chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association. He was an expert swimmer and was certified as Red Cross Senior Lifeguard. He was an avid sportsman, he loved to fish and hunt and he was a master gardener. Besides his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his brother John Arlin Tinsley and sisters Christelle Reniker, Dealie Mae Speer and Deloris McKenzie. Jessie instilled in his children a love of God, country and family and was an inspiration to all who knew him. Left to cherish the memory of their hero are his children, son Benton "Benny" Durrell Tinsley and wife Johnette and daughter Mary Priscilla "Prissy" Tinsley Hickerson and husband Randy, all of Texarkana. He is also survived by grandchildren Chuck Tinsley and Todd Tinsley of Long Beach, MS, Chris Hickerson of Texarkana, AR, Susan Tinsley Montgomery and husband Wes of Carrolton, TX and Caroline Tinsley Porter & husband Brady of Wimberly, TX. He is also survived by great grandchildren Sarah, Emma, Reagan and Carly Hickerson of Texarkana, Lakelyn and Brooks Tinsley of Long Beach and Hayes Porter of Wimberly. Other survivors include sister in law Reba Cater, nephews Glen Wynn, Marty Cater, Steve Smith and nieces Brenda McKenzie, Clairece Brobst, Joyce Reagan, Theresa Thomas and Joy Rhodes. His family is deeply grateful for the excellent care he received at Bailey Creek Health and Rehab Center where he happily spent his last years. He served as President of the Residents' Council and considered the staff as part of his family. A celebration of his life will be held at 3:00 p.m. Monday at Texarkana Funeral Home, Arkansas side chapel with the Reverend Richard Posey officiating. The family will receive friends at 2:00 p.m. at the funeral home prior to the service. Burial with military honors will be at Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Beech Street First Baptist Church, 601 Beech Street, Texarkana, AR 71854 Online registration is at www.texarkanafuneralhome.com.