Funeral services for Mrs. Jessie Bell Ladd of Americus, Georgia will be held on Monday, December 1, 2014 at 11:00 A.M. at the Big Bethel Baptist Church with Pastor Calvin Rollins officiating. Burial will follow at the Hill Cemetery.
Mrs. Jessie Bell Ladd was born in Sumter County, Georgia on February 18, 1924 to the late Calvin and Mattie Barner. “Bell”, as she was called by family and friends, was educated in the Sumter County Public School System. In 1939 at the age of 15 she met and married Doss Ladd, Jr. He preceded her in death after 70 years of marriage. This union was blessed with five children: Jena Ladd, Loretta Daniels, Shirley Johnson, Johnny Ladd, Sr. and Ray Ladd, Sr.
“Bell” was a hard worker who loved giving to the church. Throughout her life she worked as a housekeeper for many years at the home of Gammage and Helen Shivers. She also worked at the Varsity Restaurant and Wood Grain Molding for many years before she retired. She was a member of the Eveready Club for a number of years where she held several positions.
She was a very friendly person whose house was always open to everyone. She loved to cook for everybody, specializing in baking cakes for everyone that asked.She was also the neighborhood hairdresser.
She was preceded in death by six siblings: John Brown, Essie Battle, J. W. Barner, Eddye Barner, Arthur Barner and Charles Barner. “Bell”died peacefully on Tuesday, November 25, 2014 at the Phoebe-Sumter Medical Center in Americus, Georgia.
Left to cherish her memory are her children: Jena Ladd, Loretta (Felder) Daniels, all of Americus, Georgia, Shirley (Johnnie) Johnson, Johnny Ladd, Sr. all of Rochester, New York and Ray Ladd, Sr. of Americus, Georgia; one brother, Calvin Barner of Americus, Georgia; sixteen grandchildren, twenty-six great grandchildren and two great, great grandchildren.