Mr. Jessie "Train Driver" "Duke" Hurse Sr.

HURSE, Mr. Jessie Sr. "Train Driver" "Duke" - Age 69, passed away Thursday, September 8, 2016 at Hurley Medical Center. Family hour 10:30 AM Saturday, September 17, 2016 at House of Prayer Missionary Baptist Church, 1851 W. Carpenter Rd., with funeral service commencing at 11:00 AM Pastor Kenneth L. Stewart officiating. Interment Sunset Hills Cemetery, G-4413 Flushing Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10:30 AM Saturday. Mr. Hurse will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 2:00 PM - 8:00 PM with family to receive friends 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM Friday. Hard working, courageous, tenacious, resilient, disciplined, faith-filled, and strong are all words that best describe Mr. Jessie L. Hurse –a loving, providing husband, father, and friend of many. On Thursday, September 8, 2016, Mr. Hurse transitioned peacefully to his heavenly home for his eternal reward. Jessie “Train Driver,” “Duke” Hurse was born on Thursday, October 3, 1946 in Leland, Mississippi to the proud parents of Elbert Harris Hurse and Lillie B. Wilson. The first of eleven children, Jessie inherited a rich legacy of faith, family, and character. He was named after the midwife that helped save his life during a difficult birth. Jessie was taught the principles of Christianity at an early age, and was baptized at eleven years old with his two younger brothers and oldest sister in rural Mississippi. Jessie attended church regularly and joined the House of Prayer Missionary Baptist Church on July 10, 2016. As the oldest child, Jessie was taught the importance of responsibility, accountability, devotion, and leadership at an early age. As sharecroppers in the Mississippi Delta, his parents depended on Jessie to work the cotton fields at the Fratesi Plantation and to look after his younger siblings. Lillie B. instilled in young Jessie a “take charge” attitude, which added character and aided in his leadership abilities. His commanding presence got people to believe in him and follow his instructions. Over the years, Jessie cultivated this undying and never-ending will to accomplish whatever task was before him, which became the guiding principle of his life. Life working the cotton fields was hard work. Knowing the importance of his contribution to the family, he took his job seriously, and as an adolescent, he could seldom attend school. He eventually stopped going after the 4th grade, devoting his time, energy, and efforts to helping his parents provide for their growing family. Jessie eventually began driving tractors and other farm equipment on the land. People would stop on the highway and watch Jessie operate the tractor plow, as he was known for having the straightest rows of cotton on earth. Through this skill, he became a valuable asset to the growth of the Fratesi Plantation. As a teenager, Jessie became friends with a gentleman named Arthur Trotter, whose family lived nearby the Hurse household. Arthur introduced Jessie to his sister, Lula Young, who was attending Lincoln High School at the time. Jessie and Lula discovered that they shared similarities and slowly became more acquainted. In December 1968, Jessie was notified that he would soon become a father. Although Jessie was comfortable living in the Mississippi Delta as a farmhand, he desired to provide a better opportunity for his family. Lula gave birth to their first child in August 1969 and Jessie soon departed Leland to work in the growing automotive industry in Flint, Michigan. Once Jessie arrived in Flint, he quickly found a job at Anderson Tank and Manufacturing Company. After working a year at Anderson Tank, Jessie was able to build a foundation to support his family. He traveled back to Leland and on Monday, August 10, 1970, Jessie and Lula were married and moved to Flint to begin their lives together as husband and wife. Jessie continued working first shift at Anderson Tank while simultaneously working second shift as a temporary employee at numerous GM assembly plants. His perseverance finally paid off when he was hired permanently at General Motors – Truck and Bus Division in July 1973. Jessie worked diligently at Truck and Bus for 33 years before retiring in 2006. He was a tireless and committed worker and instilled integrity and a strong work ethic into the lives of all who knew him, especially his children. Jessie Hurse led a life of extraordinary courage and strength and was loved and adored by many. Known for his stern, no nonsense approach to everything, Jessie was full of tough love and compassion, which he displayed daily to his family and friends. Mr. Hurse will best be remembered for his quiet demeanor, his outspokenness, witty personality, and generous character. One thing that was certain with Jessie -when he spoke, people listened. Jessie loved talking on his CB radio, where he was known as, “Worldwide Train Driver.” He would “key up” and talk to people through the radio across America and beyond. Jessie loved giving people nicknames; it was out of his appreciation and respect that he called you something other than your given name. Jessie also loved to spend time in his yard. He took pride in having the best and perfectly manicured lawn on the block. Jessie loved his dogs, especially his companion Scooby, who he affectionately called, “Snoop.” Jessie and Snoop could be seen riding together throughout Flint, visiting various restaurants and other locations. Above all, Jessie was a father in the truest sense – an absolute master in providing and protecting his family; working tirelessly to maintain his home; always ensuring that his family had everything needed to prepare for life’s difficult battles; providing unconditional love and lessons of life to his, children, and siblings; and a listening ear, always willing to offer guidance, advice and support through all matters. Jessie was a man of extraordinary discipline and character development, delivered to us as a gift from God! Jessie leaves this legacy of love to his loving children, Bridget M. Hurse, Tina L. Hurse, and Jessie L. (Deidre) Hurse Jr.; Grandsons, Donta’ and Devin Hampton; Godchildren, Eric (Tina) Wyatt and Sheneal Wyatt; sisters, Catherine Hurse and Carrie Mister of Leland, MS; Bernice Hurse, Earnestine Hurse, Mary Ella Hurse, and Irma Hurse all of Dallas, TX; brothers, Willie (Rose) Hurse of Dallas, TX; James (Jacqueline) Hurse of Lubbock, TX; Robert (Tarsha) Hurse of Brockton, MA; sisters-in-law, Dorothy Jones of Chicago, IL and Betty Anthony of Calumet Park, IL; brothers-in-law, Arthur Trotter of Chester, PA; Albert (Yolanda) Young, Jr. of Eagen, MN; Willie (Jethella) Young of Harvey, IL; Richard Young and Melvin (Jacqueline) Young of Leland, MS; uncles, Louvell (Katherine) Houston of Chicago, IL; Earnest (Lucinda) Wilson of Hampton, GA; and Carl (Sharon) Wilson of Greenville, MS; aunts, Ora Lee Adley of Leland, MS; Josephine Robinson of Mt. Morris, MI; Alice (Tommie) McCall of South Holland, IL; and Elizabeth (Joe) Garth of Leland, MS; aunts-in-law, Earlene (Joe) Thompson of Memphis, TN and Catherine Watson of Chicago, IL; uncle-in-law, Willie (Doris) Watson of Country Club Hills, IL; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, including special cousin, Bertha Simpson and friends Sam Lyde, Willie Fair, and Charlie Wiley. Mr. Hurse was preceded in death by his wife, Lula M. Hurse, his parents, Elbert H. and Lillie B. Hurse; mother-in-law, Rebecca Burden; brother, Elbert Harris Hurse Jr.; brother-in-laws, James Trotter and Jimmy Trotter; grandparents Clarence and Carrie Wilson, Matt Hurse and Nezzie Ward Mosley; uncles John Henry Wilson, Clarence Wilson Jr., Robert C. Wilson, David Wilson, and Jeff Wilson; aunts Beulah Crockwell, Daisy Hammon, Corine Roberts, and Mary Ella Mumford; and nephew Terry Jones. The family would like to express sincere appreciation and gratitude to Elder Kenneth Stewart and the House of Prayer Church family, the ICU staff of Hurley Medical Center, our extended family, and countless friends for their acts of sympathy shown during our time of bereavement.

Mr. Jessie "Train Driver" "Duke" Hurse Sr.

October 3, 1946 - September 8, 2016