Jessie May (Johnson) Waltermire, 93, of Chanute, passed away Wednesday, February 4, 2009, at the Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center in Chanute.

Jessie was born on Jan. 24, 1916, the daughter of Charles William and Myrta Mildred Grady Johnson. Her grandfather, Harmon Johnson, had homesteaded the farm in 1876 and his family has lived there to the present date. Jessie received a Century Farm Award in October 2000. She attended Grady Rural School and Chanute Junior and Senior High Schools.

In 1932, she was united in marriage to Worth Wedd Waltermire and she assisted him with the farm and was a homemaker through the years.

She was a skilled seamstress, making many beautiful quilts for her family. She belonged to the Helping Hands Club for many years and they made many quilts. She also was a china painter belonging to the Balkan China Club for several years. Her family continues to enjoy her pretty china.

When the children were young, she helped organize the Shamrock 4-H Club and was a community leader and a project leader.

Jessie worked at NMRMC for ten years retiring from the dietary department.

She was a member of the First Christian Church in Chanute.

She and Worth enjoyed traveling and did so for several years before his death in 1990.

Jessie is survived by two daughters, Treva Mears and her husband Don Mears and Trula Finley; one son Jay Waltermire and his wife Rita Waltermire; a daughter-in-law, Judy Waltermire; eight grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Worth; a son, Jack Waltermire; a granddaughter, Sherri Mears Ward; a son-in-law, Jim Finley; sisters, Eula Trembly, Ida Sprenger and Della Heaton; and a brother, Florace Johnson.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2009, at the First Christian Church in Chanute. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery.

The family will receive friends on Friday, February 6, 2009 from 7 until 8 p.m. at the Penwell-Gabel Johnson Chapel.

Memorials in her name may be made to Cherry Street Youth Center or the First Christian Church and may be left with the funeral home.

Penwell-Gabel Johnson Chapel is in charge of arrangements.