On the morning of Saturday, March 28, 2021, Jessie Laurel
transitioned at her home in Chesapeake, Virginia at the age of 85.
A faithful servant of God, staple of her community and family, Jessie
was born Jessie Mae Baker on December 7, 1935 to the late Earmmie
and William Baker in Ridgeland, South Carolina. She graduated
from Jasper County High School in Ridgeland, South Carolina.
Jessie met her husband, Randolph Laurel, accidentally in the front
yard of her home. They became high school sweethearts. After high
school graduation, Jessie attended Morris College in Sumter, South
Carolina. She then moved to New York, where she and Randolph
later married. She worked until retirement for the state of New York.
Upon retirement and relocation to Chesapeake, Virginia, Jessie
frequently kept in touch with her family members. She was known
for her daily and weekly check-ins with her daughter, son, sisters,
nieces, close friends and other family members. She was surrounded
by a close community of neighbors and friends who were readily of
assistance to her and supported her after Randolph’s passing in 2018.
Jessie was happiest when with friends and family. She and Randolph
were known for opening their home to siblings, cousins, nieces and
nephews. Family and friends look back fondly on the gatherings
they hosted in their home on Euclid Avenue in Brooklyn, New York.
Jessie was a faithful member of New Weeping Mary Baptist Church
in Chesapeake, Virginia.
Jessie was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Randolph;
two sisters, Helen and Lucille, and three brothers, Everett, Charles
and Benjamin.
She leaves to cherish her memory her daughter Leslie and son
Rashawn; granddaughter Maya; grandson Rahsaan; sisters Mildred,
Edna, Irma, and Eva (Alvin); brothers Harry (Thelma), William
(Charlene) and Samuel; brother-in-law Lorenzer; and a host of
nieces, nephews and other loving relatives and friends.