Jesse Sylvester Shealey

Jesse Sylvester Shealey, 68 departed this life on December 23, 2013 at High Point Regional Hospital. He was born March 1, 1945 in New Haven, Connecticut to the late Benjamin Shealey and Mattie Stokes Shealey. His father Benjamin and sister Linda preceded him in death.

Jesse fondly referred to as “Bo” grew up in Montclair, NJ and attended the public schools there and went to high school in Newark, NJ. He joined the US Army and served a tour of duty in Vietnam and was honorably discharged.

Growing up “Bo” loved to swim, fish and ride horses. He spent many summers working on various ranches in Verona, NJ training and caring for horses including his own horse “Patches”.

He joined Saint Paul Baptist Church in Montclair, NJ and was baptized at the early age of 11. “Bo” loved singing and sang on the church choir and later organized The Bibbs Gospel Singers under the supervision of his great aunt Nola Bibbs. Bo was lead singer in the group with his sisters Linda and Alma and performed in solo and group church events. After his tour of duty in the army Bo organized his own band and singing group and toured various areas of the United States including New England.

Left to cherish his memories are: wife, Virginia Shealey, daughter, Iris Simms; Newark, NJ; mother, Pastor Mattie Thomas (Willie) High Point, NC; sisters, Representative Alma Adams, Greensboro, NC, Jean Johnson, Newark, NJ; brothers, Benny L. Peay, Georgia, Kelvin Johnson (Gloria), West Orange, NJ.; grandchildren, Diamond, Aldray and Ramanda, Newark, NJ and a host of  nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.