Jessie Leo McCorvey

Jessie L. McCorvey joined our ancestors on Tuesday, July 23, 2025. Our beloved Jessie was born January 2, 1953, in Pensacola, Florida. He was one of eleven brothers and sisters. He was raised by his mother, Willie Morris McCorvey, who preceded him in death along with his brothers, Sam, Calvin, Robert Lee, and Richard McCorvey; sisters, Georgia “Nell” McCorvey and Rose Merriweather. Jessie is now at peace and has found sweet rest. Jessie was a proud graduate of Booker T. Washington High School, Class of 1971. Professing Christ at an early age, Jessie and his family attended Greater Union Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. A. J. King. Willie Morris made sure he and all his siblings attended Sunday School and participated in church programs. Later, Jessie joined as an original member of Grace Bible Baptist Church. Throughout his life, Jessie’s passions included discussing politics, sports, and hunting. Like his mother, he could talk about current affairs and Black History all day long. Jessie was the family’s historian, never letting loved ones forget their origins—recalling Big Meetings at the old home church in Tunnel Springs, Alabama, picking peas, harvesting fruit, and making jams. He helped to identify long-lost relatives, and always imploring the family to love one another. Although he was afraid of everything that moved in the woods—especially snakes—Jessie was a proud member of the Dudley Boys Hunters Club of Glenridge, Florida. In addition to his love for family and history, he served his country with distinction as a proud member of the Army. Jessie was employed and retired from International Paper after 42 years as a Technical and Set-up Operator. Jessie is survived by his devoted wife of 29 years, Fabianna "Faye" McCorvey; daughter, Janelle (David) Richardson-Brown; and twin granddaughters, Cameron and Kendell Brown, all of Douglasville, Georgia; sisters, Rilla Howard (Las Vegas, Nevada), Gloria Jean McCorvey, and Joyce McCorvey-Stevens (both of Pensacola, Florida); brothers: John "Bubba" McCorvey (Los Angeles, California) and Arthur Henry Lewis (Chicago, Illinois); sisters-in-law: Von Smith (San Antonio, Texas), Bridgette (Timothy) Abbott (Panama City, Florida), and Katrena (Andrew) Maxwell (Pensacola, Florida); one aunt, Mary Ethel Crenshaw (San Francisco, California); special cousins and dear friends: Beverly McCorvey, Debra McCorvey, Joanne McCants, Angela McCorvey, Jimmy McCorvey, and Ricky McCorvey; special nephew/son Tomarko McCorvey; and a host of other relatives and friends who mourn his passing.

Tributes

Jessie Leo McCorvey

January 2, 1953 - July 23, 2025