Jessie Ross

WATKINSVILLE – Jessie Harrison Ross, 88, died Friday, August 13, 2010, at his residence.

A longtime resident of Athens and Watkinsville, he was the owner of J.H. Ross Floor Service for 49 years before retiring in 2004. He was a veteran having served in the United States Army during World War II in Italy and France, and was a member of VFW. He loved camping and was an avid fisherman, hunter and race car fan. He was a very loving and devoted family man and loved his dogs, Sadie and Bruiser.

Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Thelma Burkhalter Ross; daughters and their husbands, Brenda Sharp (Jim), San Antonio, Texas, Francine Brown (Jerry) and Nancy R. Matthews (Freddie), all of Hull, Sherry L. Morrow (Gene) Watkinsville, Kathy Brown Burt (Danny), Elberton, and Donna Duncan (Terry), Watkinsville; brother, Odes Ross, Payson, Utah; 14 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held Monday, August 16, from the chapel of Lord & Stephens Funeral Home with Steve Hurtle and the Rev. Jeff Wilkes officiating. Burial was in Evergreen Memorial Park. Pallbearers were grandsons, Kelly Pugh, Jason Morrow, Dwayne Brown, Jeremy Brown, Justin Duncan and Eric Brown. Honorary pallbearers were Shawn Burns, Jamie Roberts and Chad Scarborough.

Lord & Stephens Funeral Home, West, Bogart, was in charge of arrangements.