Jesse Worthen, Jr., 68, of Seville, entered the sunset of life on Wednesday, September 21, 2016, at his residence. A native and longtime resident of Seville, he was born on Thursday, August 12, 1948 to Jesse Sr., and Leola Caswell Worthen. In his early years, he was a member of St. Johns Missionary Baptist Church, Seville. He was educated in the Volusia County School District at Euclid Jr.-Sr. High School (later Southwestern Jr.-Sr. High School, class of 1966), Deland.

In 1968, Jesse was drafted into the U.S. Army and subsequently earned his high school diploma, later transferring to the U.S. Army Reserve. He resided in Newark, NJ from 1970-1981. On May 2, 1979, Jesse united in marriage to the former Carolyn Purvis and they became proud parents. In 1986, he was honorably discharged from the Army. Jesse was a heavy equipment operator with the FL Department of Transportation, retiring in 2010 and also a truck driver. He was a member of Victory Outreach Pentecostal Full Gospel Church and also visited New St. Paul Church of God in Christ with his family.

He was an avid football fan, especially the Oakland Raiders. He thoroughly enjoyed coaching the Volusia County Pop Warner Buccaneers and his hobbies included gardening, cars & trucks, arts & music, and he enjoyed watching television.

Those who preceded Jesse in eternal rest includes his parents; paternal grandparents, Charlie and Bessie Worthen; maternal grandparents, Danny and Minnie Caswell; sisters, Elder Ernestine Worthen Evans, Constance Worthen Cody; aunts, Geneva Nance, Mary Johnson, Jeannie Robinson; uncles, Honorable Judge Freddie Worthen, Robert Washington, and Eddie Washington.

He leaves to cherish his memories: loving and devoted wife of 37 years, Evangelist Carolyn Worthen, Seville; sons, Erskin Curry, Jesse Worthen, III, both of Seville; daughters, Najwa Worthen, Gainesville; Deejournae (Phillip) Moore, Orange City; grandson, Kamari Worthen; brother, Reverend Charlie C. (H. Dreamal) Worthen, Tallahassee; sisters, Hazel Worthen, Tallahassee; Courtney (Arthur) Moore, Crescent City; aunt, Frances Worthen, Atlanta, GA; goddaughter, Jessica Kaigler, Tampa; brothers-in-law, Elder Gilbert L. Evans, Sr., Crescent City; John Purvis, Tillman (Dorothy) Purvis, Robert Purvis, Newark, NJ; Alton (Cyndee) Purvis, Irvington, NJ; Stanley (Rosa) Purvis, Roper, NC; sisters-in-law, Shirley (James) Carter, Roper, NC; Evonnie Purvis, Newark, NJ; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation of family & friends will be 5-7 p.m., Friday, September 30 at St. Johns Missionary Baptist Church, 1835 Barton Street, Seville. Celebration of Life with Military Honors will be 11 a.m., Saturday, October 1, at Mt. Tabor First Baptist Church, South Putnam Campus, (formerly True Foundation Ministries), 608 Randolph Street, Crescent City. His brother, Reverend Charlie C. Worthen, Pastor of St. Hebron A.M.E. Church, Tallahassee, is the eulogist. Interment will be in St. Johns Cemetery, Seville.