Three Forks of the Kentucky River Historical Association

Obituary

Jess D. Wilson

Lexington Herald-Leader Nov. 4, 2014

Photo courtesy of Gail Wilson Chandler

MCKEE - Jess D. Wilson, August 8, 1918 - November 1, 2014, was born in Clay County, the first of six children of Pleas. and Rebecca Pigg Wilson. He attended Foundation School at Berea College, graduated from Tyner High School in 1938, and continued his education at Eastern State Teachers' College.

During WWII, he worked for the U.S. Air Force as a master aircraft sheet-metal mechanic. He started his career at Jackson County Rural Electric Coop by cutting right-of-way, then moved up to wiring inspector, operations engineer, and later into public relations.

For 32 years, he was responsible for writing the monthly newsletter. His readers were most interested in stories about themselves and their ancestors. "It Happened Here" became something that folks reading The Rural Kentuckian in Estill, Lee, Owsley, Laurel, Rockcastle, Jackson, and Clay counties expected to see. Soon people from other places began to write him about their kinfolks. His books based on these columns received nationwide distribution and two are still in print. A few of his many organizational affiliations include The Council for the Southern Mountains, Kiwanis, Berea College, and the Clay County Genealogical and Historical Society, where his papers now reside.

As a spokesman for the Appalachian area, he testified before the US Senate during the 1960's War on Poverty. In 1983, he and his wife, Ruth, retired to a Clay County farm, Possum Trot, which became, with the help and labor of many friends, a loved camp and retreat representing the best of local history and culture. He leaves his wife of 73 years, Ruth Hygema Wilson, three daughters, E. Gail Chandler, T. Sammie Wakefield, and Rebecca Joy Wilson, two sons-in-law, Curtis Chandler and Richard Wakefield, three granddaughters, Tana Allen, Tara Chandler and Esther Wakefield, and two great- grandsons, his brother, Raymond Wilson, and a wealth of friends, nieces and nephews, and not to be forgotten, those children of his spirit who know who they are.

Donations may be given to the Clay County Historical and Genealogical Society, Box 394, Manchester, KY. Visitation 2 - 7:30pm Wed, November 5, at Lakes Funeral Home. Funeral service will be held 11am Thursday, November 6, 2014 at Lakes Funeral Home with Bro. Sam Grigsby and Bro. Roger Williams officiating. Burial will follow in the Wilson Cemetery at [Burning Springs,] Clay County. Lakes Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Transcribed by Betty Thomas Finger