Jessie McKone (Tulia)

Tulia, Texas-Jessie McKone 85, passed away on Saturday, June 26, 2021, in Tulia. Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, July 1, 2021, at 2:00 PM at Central Church of Christ with Mr. Kent Hayhurst officiating. Cremation services are under the care of Kornerstone Funeral Directors of Tulia.

On February 27, 1936, a great blessing occurred in a farmhouse near Kress, Texas. Temple and Clara Hayhurst brought a tiny set of twins into this world. Just minutes apart, they were both around three pounds. Jessie Lee, the smallest and youngest, came into this world with struggles and an ultimate plan that God had set for her life.

These twins were 6th and 7th in a large family. Growing up as a Hayhurst in those times was not always easy, but their home never lacked God, love, and enough to get by. Jessie was always with her twin Wesley Dee, and when he was in trouble, she was the one who cried! She grew up in a big family with many older brothers, so there was never a dull moment in the Hayhurst home. Jessie always told of a time when she and Wesley decided to take a ride on the windmill. Thankfully, our sweet Nanny Clara, their mother, looked out the kitchen window and saw them climbing up and called their older brothers to help them down. This was one of many instances where God would intervene in Jessie’s life.

She attended Tulia schools and had many jobs in her hometown. Jessie worked at the Royal Theater, popping popcorn, at the City Drug Store in the soda fountain, at M&B Electric as a secretary, and at the Tulia Dairy Queen in the evenings as an additional job. She later would work as an assistant for her eldest brother, T.A. Hayhurst at A&H Printing and Office Supplies on the town square. Jessie enjoyed being around people and seldom knew a stranger. It was because of her smile, kind personality, sweet words, and infectious laugh that she never met a stranger.

Jessie experienced some difficult areas in life but would always turn to her family and faith to get her through. She met Charles McKone while working at Dairy Queen. Well, that wasn’t their original introduction because he’d been friends of her brother T.A. growing up. From their Dairy Queen meeting again, they began to date and became a couple.

On October 1, 1965, she married the love of her life. Charles and Jessie raised three kids in a loving family. After marrying, she worked at the Green Stamp Store, became a Fashion Two-Twenty make-up consultant, home seamstress for the public, and worked at Swisher Electric Cooperative, in addition to being a homemaker, wife, and mom. Jessie spent many years being a Girl Scout Leader, teaching on the Church Joy Bus, serving as a band booster, and parent chaperone on many trips with the Tulia High School Band.

After 14 years with Swisher Electric, Jessie traveled briefly on the Walmart truck with Charles. Her dream came true in 1996 when she opened a lady’s boutique on the town square, CJ’s Ladies Fashions. Women drove for miles to be fitted by Jessie and she helped many women find the newest trends for their wardrobe. Amy, Jessie’s only granddaughter, worked at CJ’s and learned from working alongside her. Most importantly, Jessie was a family person. She felt her life was complete being with her family and husband Charles of 56 years.

Jessie loved her three children, four grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren. For every birthday and Christmas she would bake special desserts and in later years always made sure cards or a gift of some kind was given to the kids. She sewed t-shirt quilts, necktie quilts, crocheted afghans, and special blankets for everyone she loved. Jessie also made lap blankets, quilts, and afghans for local individuals and nursing homes. Jessie was known by many for her quick wit, fun-loving, joking personality. She was also a loving, caring, kind soul with a giving heart who was loved by many.

Jessie was a member of the Central Church of Christ and Delta Zeta Sorority.

She is preceded in death by her parents Temple and Clara Hayhurst, her brothers; T.A., Billy Ed, Roy, Lloyd Donald, Boyd Ronald Hayhurst, her sisters; Dona Mae Hayhurst and Bettye Sue Guthrie, her son; Robert Keith McKone.

Survivors include her husband; Charles E. McKone of Tulia, her daughters; Gayla Pool and husband David of Plainview, Becky Byrd and husband Rick of Amarillo, her twin brother;Wesley Hayhurst and wife Joann of Tulia, her grandchildren; Amy Bryant and husband Johnathan, Jarod Pool and wife Crystal, Reagan Byrd and wife Sarah, and Ryan Byrd, her great grandchildren; Mallory Watson, Courtney Watson, Taylee Watson, Davyn Bryant, Luna Pool, Liam Pool, her great-great-granddaughters; Adelynn and Aspyn Washington, many cousins, nieces and nephews who loved her as well.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the High Plains Children’s Home, 11461 S. Western St, Amarillo, Texas, 79118; https://www.hpch.org

Online condolences can be made at www.kornerstonefunerals.com