Jessie Eileen Wilson Yarnell (93) of Shelbyville

Jessie Eileen Wilson Yarnell, 93, of Shelbyville passed away on Tuesday, February 26, 2019 at the Hawthorne Inn in Shelbyville.

She was born September 10, 1925 to Beatrice Frailey Wilson and William Charles Wilson. She graduated from Herrick Community High School and later attained her real estate license. Jessie married the love of her life, Ray Yarnell, in Ft. Worth, Texas, on September 10, 1943. He preceded her in death on October 22, 1988. Jessie was very active in the Cowden community including the PTA, the founding committee of the Cowden Pioneer Days, many offices of the Eastern Star, including Worthy Matron, and numerous committees of the First Christian Church. She traveled to Austria to serve at an international educational center for world religion. She loved to travel and enjoyed seeing the United States with Ray and later many European countries and Russia. Jessie lived a long and full life and felt that she had been fortunate to have such a great family who loved her and looked out for her as she grew older.

She leaves behind children: Judith Giberson (Jerry) of Decatur, Brenda Yarnell (Susan Fonfa) of Springfield, Anita Lorton (Mike) of Cowden and David Yarnell (Kim) of Cowden. In addition, she leaves a huge loving family of 12 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, March 1 at the First Christian Church in Cowden with Pastor Nate Harper officiating. Burial will take place in Mound Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Thursday. Memorials may be made in her name to the First Christian Church of Cowden, 404 E. Locust Street, Cowden, IL 62422 or Quad County Hospice, 1 Huber Street, Pana, IL 62557. Lockart-Green Funeral Home in Cowden is assisting the family.

Family and friends are invited to light a candle or share a story in Jessie’s honor by clicking here.