Jessie Larie Holder Ashabranner

Mrs. Jessie Larie Holder Ashabranner

Mrs. Jessie Larie Holder Ashabranner of Manila, was born November 11, 1927 at Walnut Ridge, Arkansas to the late Thelma Hazel Houston Holder and Monroe Franklin Holder. She went to be with her Lord on April 19, 2017 following her death at the NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital in Jonesboro. She married the late Eddie D. Ashabranner on Easter Sunday, April 14, 1946 following his return from World War II.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by one son, Wendell Ashabranner; one grandson, Justin Veach; two sisters, Doris Robertson and Vivian "Pee Wee" Gaines and three brothers, James Lee, Gene, and Don Cunningham.

Jessie had many talents. She was a gifted seamstress, beginning at age eight sewing for her siblings. She continued sewing throughout her life for her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and the entire town. She was retired from the Manila School District where she worked as a teacher’s aide and elementary librarian. She touched countless lives while serving in those positions. Her priorities in life were the love for her family, the Lord, and her church, the First United Methodist Church of Manila, where she was a lifelong member.

Anyone who met Jessie knew she loved the Lord and was His servant. She lived Proverbs 31:10, A virtuous woman and her price was far above rubies, she did good and not evil all the days of her life. Her candle goeth not out by night, she stretched out her hands to the poor, yea she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She made fine linens. Strength and honour was her clothing. She opened her mouth with wisdom and her tongue was her law of kindness.

We as her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren rise up and call her blessed.

She leaves two daughters, Sheila Bourland (Larry) of York, Pennsylvania and Thelma Veach (Randy) of Lost Cane;

Five grandchildren, Brandon Veach, Gretchen Rudham (Darren), Matthew Bourland, Emily DeSpain (Will), Megan Jackson (Hunter), Kyle Ashabranner (Hannah);

Thirteen great-grandchildren, Ambrette and Tyler Veach, Drew and Jake Veach, Leona Bourland, Haelyn and Owen Ashabranner, Ryan and Emma DeSpain, Maximus and Zoe Rudham, Reese and Kale Jackson;

She also leaves many nieces, nephews, and loved ones.

Funeral service will be held at 2:30 p. m. on Sunday April 23, 2017 at the First United Methodist Church in Manila with Randy Veach and Rev. Jerry Pentecost officiating. Burial will follow in the Manila Cemetery. The family will receive visitors from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Saturday evening at the Howard Funeral Service Chapel in Manila.

Pallbearers will be Brandon Veach, Matthew Bourland, Kyle Ashabranner, Will DeSpain, Darren Rudham, and Hunter Jackson.

The family prefers memorials to the First United Methodist Church of Manila or St. Jude's Children's Hospital.

Friends may sign the guest register at www.HowardFuneralService.com.