Jesse Hilbert Vereen, son of the late John Labon Vereen and Lucille Smith Vereen, was born on July 14,1950 in Columbus County, North Carolina. He departed this life on Tuesday, March 9, 2021.
He grew up in Nakina where he worked on the farm with his family. He attended Oak Forest Elementary School in Nakina and was promoted to Douglas High School in Tabor City, North Carolina. In 1968, he graduated from Nakina High School and moved to New Haven.
At a young age, Jesse became a member of Zion Plain Missionary Baptist Church in Nakina, North Carolina and on November 28, 2008, he recommitted his life to the Lord.
Jesse worked at Winchester Repeating Arms Company in New Haven before gaining employment at G & O Manufacturing Company also in New Haven as a machinist. He remained there for 25 plus years until he sustained a work place injury. He was a very hard worker and loved his job, which made it very difficult for him to leave it.
Jesse and Shelia were life long friends who grew up together attending the same church and schools. They spent 51 years loving each other and raising their family. On September 30, 1995, they were married.
He loved to cook, garden, fish, and do outside work around the home. He enjoyed reading the word of God and listening to gospel music everyday. To his family, relatives, and friends, he will be remembered for his big heart and kind smile. He was willing to try and help anyone he could. Jesse had a way with words that made people feel special. He loved to tell jokes to make people laugh and would laugh wholeheartedly at the jokes as well. He was truly a blessing to so many.
He leaves to mourn: his wife, Sheila Piggott Vereen; two daughters, Carlotta Piggott and Jessica (Jeremiah) Piggott of New Haven; one son, Torrell Blue of New Haven; one adopted daughter, Nicole Hall Joppy of Durham, NC; six grandchildren, Nathaniel Jesse Piggott, Bryan Jesse Piggott and Amyah Shelise Piggott of New Haven, Torrell Blue Jr and Dishawn Blue of Waterbury, and adopted grandson Elijah Joppy of Durham, NC. He also leaves a brother, Joseph L. (Hannah) Vereen of Nakina, NC, sister Delores Hill of New Jersey and an adopted sister, Lou Hettie Vereen Bellamy of New York; one aunt, Betty Smith Bellamy of Nakina, NC; 2 nephews, Gary (Tammy) Vereen of Whiteville, NC and Joseph Vereen of Nakina, NC; 7 sister-in-laws, 5 brother-in-laws, and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Service will be livestreamed by Next Level Livestream.
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