Jessie Mae Neville, age 91, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, November 20, 2023. She was born December 24, 1931, to Carl Ausemus and Emma Armstrong Ausemus, the youngest of the eleven Ausemus children. She was born on the homeplace between Hiatville and Hepler. After her father’s unexpected death, the family moved to Hepler where she finished High School and then moved to Girard. Her first job was at Zettle’s Bakery in Girard. Jessie Mae married Merle E. Neville on September 24, 1950, in Girard. While living in Girard, they owned and operated a service station and rental cabins. To their union four children were born, Gerald, Larry, Julie and David. Jessie Mae later worked at Key Work Clothes in Ft. Scottfrom1962 to 2000. She enjoyed spending time with her family, sewing, gardening and cooking. She was a great encouragement to her family; you could always count on Mom.
Survivors include three children, Gerald W. Neville of Wichita, Kansas, Julie Ledford (Brian) of Neosho, Missouri and David Neville (Doretta) of Ft. Scott. Also surviving is a daughter-in-law, Linda Neville of Nixa, Missouri; nine grandchildren, Darcy Sinn (Doug), Chelle Lear (C.J.), Levi Neville (Joey),Jeremy Neville (Megan),Joseph Neville, Jordan Neville, Kimberly Large, Sarah Bussey and Joshua Dillahay (Megan) and numerous great and great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Merle and her son, Larry as well as ten brothers and sisters, Bertha Stone, Helen Dumm, James Ausemus, Earl Ausemus, Kenneth Ausemus, Chet Ausemus, Lavon Fosberg, Elsie Montee, Lucille McDaniel, and Leeroy “Bub” Ausemus.
Pastor Mark Ledford will conduct funeral services at 1:00 P.M. Saturday, November 25th at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the Turkey Creek Cemetery north of Uniontown, Kansas. Memorials are suggested to Paws & Claws Animal Shelter and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook atcheneywitt.com.
