Jessie B. Motley

Jessie Beatrice Motley was born to Jesse E. and Blanch (Lucy) Davis on November 24, 1938 in Wisner Louisiana.  In 1945 the family moved to Portland Oregon to start a new life.  They lived in Vanport and survived the flood in 1948. The Davis family built a family home on North Hamlin Street.

Jessie went to Peninsula Grade school and has maintained a friendship with Doris Smith since the time they were nine years old.  Doris has said of her friend of over 70 years- “That Jessie Bea was always a “snappy” dresser, very smart, always fun, easy mannered and a lovely person to be around.”

Jessie graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1956.

She met Boyce Gene Motley and they were married in 1958. Boyce Jr. (Pete) was born in November of 1959.  In 1963 they had a house built on North Curtis Street were Jessie resided until the day she passed.

Jessie was a homemaker, den mother for Cub Scout Pack 68.  She worked for the State of Oregon for several years as a clerk.  She also worked for Portland Public Schools and Portland Community College. She was a long-time member of Mt. Olivet Baptist Church.

She sat on the Board for Loaves and Fishes and was the treasurer for many years.

She made many friends on her monthly outings and will be missed by all that had the blessing of knowing her.

Jessie was known for her love of flowers and green thumb. She will be remembered for her kindness, humor, wit, warmth and sassiness!

She was a loving daughter, wife, mother and grandmother.  She will be missed dearly.

Her mother, father and husband preceded her in death.  She leaves to mourn her son Boyce (Pete) Jr. and his wife Laurel, granddaughters Lanie and Jaque Motley, a host of relations and friends.