Jesse J. Byrd

Jesse J. Byrd, 85, of Cincinnati, Ohio made his transition peacefully on Saturday, January 18, 2025. He was born in Estill, Mississippi on February 13, 1939, the second child of eleven children born to the late Elias (Boots) Byrd and Essie Bell Byrd. He accepted Jesus Christ at an early age.

Jesse was a mild-mannered man who touched many lives. Of all the people he may have touched, both willing and unwilling, his most proud achievement in his life was marrying his wife, Mamie (Johnson) Byrd, who preceded him in death. Jesse and Mamie met at Rolling Ward Elementary School when they were 6 years old and in kindergarten. They were married right after high school in 1960. In 1962, they moved to Cincinnati, Ohio to seek better opportunities. When Jesse married Mamie, he married the whole Johnson family including the 10 Johnson girls who all claimed to be his "Favorite Sister-In-Law".

His friends and family knew him as the mild-mannered person he was, who seemingly did it his way. He wrote his own rules and paved his own road. If you said he could not, he would make sure he could. He knew how to be serious and he knew how to joke. He teased his wife, Mamie, continuously. He could look you straight in the eye, tell you a story with a straight face, and you wouldn't know if he was joking or if he was telling the truth. He liked laughing and he liked making other people laugh. His hobbies included landscaping, barbecuing, and spending free time with his family.

Jesse was a strong, determined and fiercely independent man. Throughout his career, he was known for his hard work, his diligence, and his entrepreneurial spirit. He owned several gas stations for many years before entering into the construction business. After several years of working in the Construction Industry as a Contractor with Messer Industries, he started his own Iron Working Construction Company - Best Way Construction.

Jesse J. Byrd and Mamie were united in holy matrimony for 63 years. To this union, God blessed them with five children: Veronica Faye, Larry Donald, Travis, Jesse, Jr., and Lanier.

On late Saturday night January 18, 2025, Jesse succumbed to life's challenges. Jesse leaves to cherish his memories: his daughter, Veronica Faye; two sons, Travis and Lanier (Benita); eight grandchildren: Treasure, Nicole, Denesha, Jessica, Lamont, Nikki, Lanier, Jr., and Joshua; four great-grandchildren: T'Naya, Azariah, Kayliix, and Kaylonii; eight siblings: brothers, Cleotha Byrd (Virginia) of Cincinnati, Ohio, Robert Earl Byrd (Dorothy) of Detroit, Michigan, Joe Henry Byrd (Jetti) of Seattle, Washington, and Mitchell Darnell Byrd of Wausau, Wisconsin; and sisters, Willie Mae Cotton of Detroit, Michigan, Juanita Sprouse-Morris (Rickey) of Atlanta, Georgia, Margaret Daniels (Freddie) of Detroit, Michigan, and Betty Jean Byrd of Hollandale, Mississippi; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Elias (Boots) Byrd and Essie Bell Byrd; wife, Mamie (Johnson) Byrd; brother, Willie Lee Byrd; sister, Berneice Williams; and sons, Larry Donald Byrd and Jesse Byrd, Jr.

Jesse will be deeply missed, not only by his family, but others who loved and respected him.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Funeral service at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 1, 2025 at James Temple C.O.G.I.C (Annex Chapel), 1119 Lincoln Ave, Cincinnati, Ohio 45206. Interment: Spring Grove Cemetery.

Arrangements entrusted to the care of KINLEY Funeral Home.