Theodore Jessup

Obituary For Theodore Jessup

Theodore "Ted" Jessup, 81, died peacefully at his home in Durham, North Carolina on March 25, 2024 after battling several health issues.

Ted was the third child of John Jessup and Channie Williams born on May 5, 1942 in West Virginia and grew up in the coal mining town of Bluefield. He settled in Durham after meeting the love of his life, Beatrice Delois Vines.

A hardworking provider, he spent decades working in mail services for IBM and for multiple subcontracting companies. He prioritized education and put his daughter through college at Morgan State University. Passionate and creative, Ted's love language was music, and he had an affinity for country music. He lent his baritone voice to the Morehead Ave. Baptist Church men's chorus and was a prolific songwriter, composing scores of his own musical works including "Put It In the Master's Hands," a cherished selection in his final years. He also loved writing poetry and even submitted some of his poems to Hallmark for publication.

Ted is survived by Beatrice, his wife of 51 years; sons Maurice (Tonia) Lyles and Carl (Kerri) Lyles; daughter, Tarsha (Terrill) James; grandchildren, Victoria, Kaleigh, and Tyler; sister, Shari (Tyrone) Spencer; and a host of nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Lenola D. Rose; and brothers, John L. Jessup and Alfred D. Jessup.

A memorial service is scheduled at 11:00 am on Friday, April 5, 2024 at Holloway Memorial Funeral Home on 2502 NC Highway 55, Durham, North Carolina.

The family would like to thank his at-home hospice team at Amedisys and his niece Deatra Roberts for their exceptional care. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to Ted’s at-home hospice provider, Amedisys Home Health Care — Durham.