Jesse Francis Mealing, seventh child of Evans and Altenia Mealing, was born in Glen Cove New York on October 4, 1937. A resident of Fernandina Beach, Florida, Jesse Mealing went home to be with the Lord on Thursday February 18, 2016 after a brief but devastating illness.

Jesse Mealing was the consummate family man. He was often the glue that helped to keep his large extended family united. He was the advisor, counselor, encourager, supporter and was often called the �Rev.� The lesson in his legacy will be to live life to the fullest, embrace and support family and pursue your dreams.

As the family�s patriarch, Jesse was a tremendous presence with broad shoulders and a deep baritone voice. Family and friends alike relied on him for solid advice, the well-timed joke or anecdotes from his amazingly full life. Whether at a family gathering, a meeting or a party, Jesse Mealing could always be found near the center of attention and excitement.

In his youth, Jesse was an avid baseball player and lover of all sports with dreams of playing in the major league. He graduated from Glen Cove High School and CW Post College with a degree in Business Administration. As a soldier, he embraced the saying �Once a Marine always a Marine,� and proudly served in the United States Marine Corps from 1957 to 1960. Jesse was a faithful member of Glen Cove Baptist Church in New York and served as a trustee and choir member.

Jesse�s easy personality and insight helped him build a wonderful career in Human Resources. After, leaving the military, he joined Grumman Aerospace where he was employed for approximately 30 years in New York and later in Reston, VA. After retiring from Grumman, he continued working with Metro in Washington, DC. and then MARTA in Atlanta, GA. He also lent his time and talent to a number of local civic associations, and was renowned for his attention to detail and precision in all that he did. Whether he was secretary, treasurer or head of an organization, if Jesse was involved you knew every �i� was dotted and every �t� crossed.
Quick to humor and constantly curious, Jesse Mealing found great friends wherever he went. Friends and family alike could always find him cultivating his deep love of music. He was a jazz aficionado, but you can find every genre of song and album amongst his expansive collection of vinyl and CDs � old and new. Events at his home were often filled with song well into the evening, and his ability to play you any song you wanted to hear is remembered fondly.

Jesse and his wife Virginia settled in Fernandina Beach, FL in 2000.

He is preceded in death by his parents, three sisters- Joan, Yvonne and Mary, one brother Evans Jr., his former wife Kay Boyce Mealing and his firstborn son Jesse Mealing Jr., �Bud�.

He leaves his wife of thirty years, Virginia, his daughter Virginia �Ginny� Mealing Plancke and her husband Stephane Plancke, his sisters Diane Morgan, Penny Mealing, his brother Ed Mealing, foster brother and sister Albert Bostic and Berry Carson, two stepsons Martin Benders and Damian Benders, a host of cousins, nieces and nephews, numerous in-laws, 5 grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Funeral services will be conducted locally at the First Missionary Baptist Church of Fernandina Beach at 6:00 pm on Tuesday, February 23, 2016 with Pastor Reverend Darian K. Bolden, officiating.

His family will receive friends following the service at a reception to be held in the church fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in his name to the American Cancer Society, 1430 Prudential Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32207 or the American Diabetes Association. P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312