Jessie Marie Durham was born to Jonny Sessom and Pearline Gatling Sessom on June 28, 1933, in Ahoskie, North, Carolina. She was the second of five siblings: Annie Johnson, Peggy Lee (deceased), Johnny Sessom, Jr. (deceased), and Barbara (Jean) Reed (deceased). She passed away on October 14, 2024, in Warrensville Heights, Ohio.

Jessie married Tommy Phillips, a musician, in North Carolina in 1949. She followed him to Pelham, Georgia, where she divorced him in 1951 and met the love of her life, Carey Durham, in 1953. The couple moved their family to Cleveland, Ohio in 1956 during the Great Migration. Jessie found work in a factory, and then at St. Vincent Charity Hospital as a Nurse Assistant. She discovered her passion and strived to further her education and attended Jane Adams Nurse Program, where she earned her license of professional nurse. This became her life’s work. She retired as a private duty nurse.

Jessie had a calm and sweet personality and rarely let things upset her. She had a forgiving nature and was protective of her children. This was extended to her nieces and nephews. Jessie had the innate ability to easily make and keep friends. Jessie enjoyed life and was an avid reader. Some of her hobbies included fishing, camping, bowling, and going to the theatre.

Jessie leaves behind a legacy of children: Tony Phillips (deceased), Veronica (Charlene) Tresville (Walter Tresville III), Charlotte (Elaine) Durham, Karen Durham, Carey Durham, Jr. (deceased); grandchildren Antone Bryant, Trina Tresville, Shelley Hunt (Sean Hunt), Walter Tresville IV (deceased), Tamika Moton-Carter (Preston Carter), Lontia “Tia” Durham, and Brandi Durham; great-grandchildren Jason Bryant (deceased)Brittany Tresville, Brianna Gibbs, Brianna Gibbs, Mekel Gibbs, Mikayla Gibbs, Walter Malik Tresville, Erin Toney, Eres Toney, Chauncey Humber, Ayanna Carter, Kenace Hunt, Alex Carter, and Aiden Carter; great-great-grandchildren (Weslie Traylor, Wakean Tresville, Walter Malik Tresville Jr., and Phoenix Gibbs); and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.