Reflections Reflections of Life
Jesse Wilburn, Jr. passed away peacefully, December 1, 2017. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jesse Sr. and Elatris Wilburn and one brother James.
Jesse was a graduate of Melrose High School Class of 1954 where he was an all Memphis football player. He received an athletic scholarship to Tennessee State University. Jesse was a three-year starter and starred on the 1956 National Championship team that beat Florida A and M. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in History in 1958. In 1959 he began a career in education, teaching and coaching at his Alma Mater, Melrose High School for the next nine years. In 1965 while coaching at Melrose, his team won the 1st integrated state Track and Field Championship. In 1969 Jesse left the Memphis City Schools System to work as a Sales Representative for Josten’s. Fifteen years later, Jesse left Josten’s to become an entrepreneur in various businesses doing fundraising in the Memphis and Shelby County Schools, school photography, candy sales and led based paint and asbestos abatement. While traveling and working as a sales representative at Josten’s, Jesse became part-owner of Pe-Je record shop, Pe-Je Burger Bar and Business and Pleasure Travel Agency. STAX Records was their biggest account. After closing the businesses, Jesse returned to the educational field and ended his Career at Kingsbury Middle School as an ISS teacher in 2016. Jesse was initiated into the Alpha Theta Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. at Tennessee State University in the Spring of 1957. He became a life member and was active in the fraternity throughout his life. Jesse was very civic minded. His civic and religious affiliations included Mount Moriah Baptist Church, Tennessee State University “Big Blue Club,” Founding member of the Melrose Booster club; he served two terms as executive secretary of Memphis in May and Tennessee State Alumni Association member. Jesse was a two-time inductee into the Tennessee State University Sports Hall of Fame. Jesse will be remembered for his passion and dedication to the community. A truly influential figure. No one will forget the impact he had on so many people’s lives. His desire was always for the benefit of the children. Jesse is survived by his wife, Margaret of 60 years, two sons, Kelvin and Barry, his two granddaughters, Jordan and Dominique, brother Eric “Donnie” (Jewel), a nephew Arlen Wilburn, cousins and other relatives and friends.
The Celebration of Life
Celebration Jesse Wilburn, Jr. Saturday, December 9, 2017 • 11:00 A.M.
Mt. Moriah Baptist Church
2634 Carnes Avenue • Memphis, Tennessee 38114
Rev. Dr. Harvey B. Jackson ~Pastor~
Prelude..................................................................................................Sis. Laura Etta Jones Processional Scripture: Old Testament.......................................................................Reverend Beatrice Davis
Pastor, Word of Life Healing Ministries
New Testament..............................................................Reverend Anthony Henderson
Pastor, Beulah Baptist Church
Song ...........................................................................................................Sis. Dorothy Jones Mt. Moriah Baptist Church
Proclamations/Resolutions (3 minutes each)
Reflections: (3 minutes each)
Willie Dawson Church
Eldridge “Pete” Mitchell Friend
Burrell Lee
TSU 1956 Championship Team and TSU Alpha Theta Chapter, KAY
Jewel Jordan
President, Memphis TSU Alumni Chapter
Eric D. Wilburn Family
Song.........................................................................Mt. Moriah Baptist Church Youth Choir Acknowledgements............................................................................Sis. Jimmie Mae Woods Song........................................................................................................Bro. Darius Perkins
Mt. Moriah Baptist Church
Eulogy..........................................................................................Rev. Dr. Harvey B. Jackson Recessional “Remains will not be viewed after Eulogy”
C
herished Memories
Jesse Wilburn at the Occasion of the 2016 John Merritt Classic and the 50th Anniversary of TSU 1956 Undefeated Football Team With heavy hearts, we share news of the passing of Tennessee State University Alumnus and legendary Memphis athlete, Jesse Wilburn, who passed earlier today succumbing to illness. Taken from a 1988 article in Sports Illustrated magazine, Jesse Wilburn was recognized for being a star running back at Memphis’ Melrose High School in the early ‘50s, competing in what was called the Negro Prep League. In 1953, Wilburn’s senior season, Melrose went undefeated and won one of the two segregated state titles awarded back when segregation was a way of life. Wilburn went on to Tennessee State along with Melrose’s quarterback, Bob (Bubba) Crawford. At TSU their teams were undefeated in the seasons of ‘54, ‘56 and ‘57. Jesse Wilburn led in rushing three straight years (‘55-57) and set records for the longest scoring run from scrimmage (89 yards) and the longest kickoff return (100 yards). “When I got in the end zone, I wouldn’t celebrate. I would get mad,” he says. “I’d ask myself why I hadn’t gotten in earlier. I figured getting in the end zone was my job. The cheerleaders were there to celebrate. I was there to score.” “Jesse was always a stickler for detail, the proper way,” says his Crawford, then an art teacher at Melrose. “To Jesse, the right way was the only way.” In December 1956, TSU played a feared and undefeated Florida A & M team that featured a star running back named Willie Galimore, now deceased, in the Orange Blossom Classic at the Orange Bowl. Before the game, Grambling coach Eddie Robinson had made a prediction: “The Tennessee backfield will surprise Florida. We should know. They beat us.” TSU won the Classic 41-39. Wilburn played both ways, the entire game. The trainers had to cut his jersey off him after the game. He couldn’t lift his arms. At TSU, Jesse Wilburn met and married Margaret Mathews, a TSU Tigerbelle who hailed from Atlanta. Jesse and Margaret were married in 1957. “I fell in love with Jesse at a very early age,” says Margaret. “I just decided I didn’t ever want to be with anybody else.” They moved to Memphis after graduation. The family grew with the addition of two sons, Kelvin and Barry. In later years, Jesse and Margaret were named to the TSU Sports Hall of Fame. In addition to being an athlete, Jesse Wilburn became a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated. He returned frequently to TSU always cheering for our beloved Big Blue Football Tigers. Please join us as we remember our friend with warm thoughts and pray with his family for comfort in the days and weeks to come.
Jesse:
God Saw that you were weary So He did what He knows best. He came and stood beside you, And whispered, “Come and rest.” You bid no one a last farewell, Not even a goodbye. You were gone before we knew it, And only God knows why. We will miss you dearly and never forget you. Loving Wife of 60 years,
Margaret Sons,
Kelvin and Barry
Invictus
by William Henley Out of the night that covers me, Black as the Pit from pole to pole, I thank whatever gods may be For my unconquerable soul.
LTributes
In the fell clutch of circumstance I have not winced nor cried aloud. Under the bludgeonings of chance My head is bloody, but unbowed. Beyond this place of wrath and tears Looms but the Horror of the shade, And yet the menace of the years Finds, and shall find, me unafraid. It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll. I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul.
Your brother in life and in the Bond – Donnie
oving
~ Acknowledgement s ~ A friendly smile, a casual touch, these are things that mean so much. To know you are with us in our time of sorrow, sharing our prayers, today and tomorrow. God gives us the comfort in the form of family and good friends. May his peace be with you, His love never ends.
~The Family
~ Honorary Pallbearers ~ Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. Memphis Alumni Chapter Kingsbury Middle School Melrose Booster Club Tennessee State University Alumni Association Tennessee State University Big Blue Club
~ Active Pallbearers ~ Wendell Bass, Sr. Reginald Hubbard Andre Johnson Burrell Lee
~Interment ~ New Park Cemetery 4536 Horn Lake Rd. Memphis, Tennessee 38109
Brian Lee Dwayne Nesbitt Dwayne Stevens Earnest Owens
~Repast ~
Mt. Moriah Baptist Church Fellowship Hall 2634 Carnes Avenue Memphis, Tennessee 38114
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