Jessie Downs

Jessie Hale Downs, age 92, of Birmingham, went to her new home in Heaven, January 5, 2010. Ms Jessie at age 27 along with her husband Jimmie Hale began the Jimmie Hale Mission to help homeless people. Jimmie died when Ms Jessie was pregnant with her first child and she carried on the work for 46 years along with co-superintendant Bro Leo Shepura. She continued to be active with the mission in speaking to groups about the importance of caring for the homeless and how God can use each and every one of us to carry out his mission. Jessie's Place was named for her and she visited the women and children to pray with them and to talk and listen. She prayed for people on a daily basis. Her favorite question to people was "Are you doing this for Jesus?" Being mother to the homeless is what Ms Jessie said God told her to do. She will be missed more than words can say. Survivors include her daughters Katie Hale Giardina (Phillip), and Ann Downs Wilson. Grandchildren are: Bubba Justice (Melany), Jessilyn and Katelyn. Rhonda Masters (Vernon), Austin, Matt, and Amber. Scott Justice (Tonya), Conner, Corey and Kelsey. Sherry Martin (Eddie), Zach and Andrew. Brothers J.B. Davis (Betty) of Moundville and Roland Davis (Carolyn) of Clanton. Sister Audie Montgomery of Duncanville. Viewing will be Friday night January 8, 2010, from 5pm until 8pm, funeral services Saturday January 9, 2010, at 11:00am both at Southeastern Bible College on Valleydale Road. Burial will be in Moundville, Al at Oak Hill Cemetery. The Reverends Bubba and Scott Justice (Ms Jessie's grandsons) will be the speakers along with Rev. Tony Cooper, director of the Jimmie Hale Mission, and Rev. Scott Guffin of Liberty Park Baptist Church. The family requests memorials be made to the Jimmie Hale Mission.