Jessie Parkhurst

December 8, 1926 - August 23, 2015

Cocoa Jessie Parkhurst, 88, of Cocoa, Florida, was called peacefully home to the Lord on Sunday, August 23, 2015. Jessie was born December 8, 1926 in Statesboro, Georgia to Daniel and Milissa (Finch) Hendrix. After losing both parents during her childhood, Jessie helped raise her younger siblings while completing school. During World War II she moved to Savannah and found work as a shipyard welder and switchboard operator. She later took a job as a waitress at a seaside hotel in Tybee Island (Savannah Beach). It was here that Jessie met the love of her life, Robert "Bob" Parkhurst; they married on September 13, 1947. Bob and Jessie traveled the country for 30 years in support of the United States Coast Guard. Jessie gave birth to four children and guided the family through numerous moves, from Newfoundland to Florida, Alaska, Virginia, New Jersey and Louisiana, before they retired in Merritt Island in 1976. A full-time "mom", avid gardener and selfless volunteer, Jessie enjoyed bowling, ceramics, square dancing and contra dancing, as well as boating and camping. She was also a key member of the group that founded the Brevard Sharing Center. Very active in St Luke's Episcopal Church, Jessie was a woman of strong faith, family, and good humor. Jessie is survived by her four children, eight grandchildren, and six great grandchildren. She is much-loved and greatly missed. Funeral service will be held Saturday, August 29th at 11 am at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Merritt Island. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.