Helen Virginia Jessup

Helen's life began on October 13, 1917, in Dowagiac, Michigan, the daughter of Oscar and Winnie (Bailey) Anderson, and was raised on a farm in Pokagon Township. She married Howard Jessup in South Bend, Indiana on February 11, 1946. After WWII they lived in Kalamazoo where she worked for 2 Legs Pant Co. while Howard finished his teaching degree. In 1948 the couple moved to South Haven, and from 1962-1979 Helen worked for the South Haven Public Schools in food service at LC Mohr, Central, and Lincoln Schools. After retiring, Helen and Howard lived on her family homestead in Dowagiac, and spent winters in Bradenton, Florida. She was known as a great cook, and canned the fresh vegetables from Howard's bountiful garden. She could put together a fantastic meal for two and add this and that to make it feed twenty. Helen also liked reading, crafts, camping and travel. With Howard and her children, and frequently grandchildren, she enjoyed going to 49 states and several foreign countries. Her family meant the world to her. She and Howard had three children: Melvin (Janice) Jessup, Susan Jessup, and Thomas (Marilyn) Jessup all of South Haven, her grandchildren; Kristin (Kurtis) DeWitt, Corey Jessup, Joshua (Evon) Jessup, Mara Jessup, Jonathan (Shannon) Jessup, Jeremiah Jessup, Joseph (Kymberly) Jessup, James Jessup, Jedidiah Jessup, Josiah Jessup, Johanan Jessup and Hannah Jessup; 5 great grandchildren; Abigail, Bridget, Jonathan David, Josephine Jessup and Nicklas DeWitt. Helen passed away July 10, 2010 at her home in South Haven. She is preceded in death by her husband, Howard in 2007, her parents, and three brothers; Orren, Miles and Robert and a sister Hazel Knoll. Helen's family with gather with friends on Friday, July 17th from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at Yazel & Clark Chapel where her service will follow led by Pastor John Kasper of First United Methodist Church. She will be laid to rest at Riverside Cemetery. Memorial contributions in her name may be directed to First United Methodist Church Dowagiac, Old Rugged Cross Foundation or Hospice at Home. Please sign her guestbook and leave a memory of Helen at www.yazel-clark.com.