The Obituary of Jessie Elizabeth Zelda Willoughby-Davis (written by her daughter, Trina Cline)

Jessie left this world peacefully on April 13th, 2024

Jessie was born on October 7, 1941, to Stuart Renfro and Jewel Juanita (McKaughan) Willoughby in San Angelo, Texas. In 1944,  Stewart “Stu” was presented with the opportunity to travel across several states to work at “The Hanford Project”. The family packed up their family of 8 and moved to a place called Richland, WA and they eventually moved to 1532 McPherson.  Jewel was not impressed by this one-horse town that had dirt roads and tumbleweeds. Rumor has it that “Jewel” would not get out of the car for three days, she wanted to go back to Texas. Jewel finally accepted the fact that this is where they are going to make their home and they ended up living the rest of their lives here.

In 1952, when Jessie was just 10 years old, she lost her eldest sister “Wanetta” to a horrible car accident that happened on Birch Avenue in Richland. This was a devastation to the family, but with the strong family bond, they made it through with love.

Jessie met Gerald Linn Cline when she was just 17 years old. They married and had 3 children together; Kimberlee Kay Dallaire, the eldest daughter,  Kerry Linn Cline, the only son, and Trina Marie Cline, the youngest daughter. They remained married for 15+ years.

Jessie landed a job at Westinghouse and worked there for 10 years where she met her current husband Johnny Joe Davis (J.J.). They were also both part of the Ski Club and had crossed paths at different events before J.J. asked her out. They were married in 1985 and stayed happily married for 38 years. JJ took on the role of Stepdad to her 3 children whom he loved as his own. This was a blessing to both J.J. and the children, for he is a wonderful husband and perfected his role of Stepdad.

Jessie and J.J. moved immediately after their wedding to Pennsylvania. J.J. worked as a Health Physics Technician and they traveled for J.J’s job working at different DOE sites and Nuclear Plants . They lived in Minnesota, Kentucky, and New Mexico. During this time Jessie had the opportunity to go back to college. In fact she went to several Universities, and even lived in a dorm while studying economics at the Saint Cloud State University. Jessie was in the master’s Program for learning and training technologies before she returned to Richland to help the family through some difficult times.

She lived a full life of traveling, studying, even owning her own business at one point “Willobee Techniques” a computer based training development company. She had several hobbies that included, knitting, crocheting, windsurfing, baking, arts and crafts. She loved to snow ski. In her younger days, she was an avid runner. Jessie was a talented artist and was one of the artists featured at the very first “Art in the Park” doing portraits. Her children remember always having to sit still so that she could draw them.

Jessie also had it in her heart to help those that needed it, always going above and beyond. She helped tutor several people including her own daughter and grandchildren. She tutored several individuals in math to enable them to finish what for them was a challenging subject.

Jessie was strong in her faith and was part of several churches locally and afar, wherever she went people were drawn to her.

Jessie was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Floyd and Stewart (Renie) Willoughby, sisters Wanetta Willoughby, Mary Trimble, and her 1st husband and good friend Jerry Cline.  She is survived by her husband J.J. Davis, her children Kim, Kerry, and Trina, her grandchildren Lacee, Koty, and Joel. She is also survived by her sister Sharron Movick, several nieces and nephews, and an array of friends.

Jessie was shining light wherever she went and will be extremely missed by her husband, children, family and lots of friends.

“May the road rise up to meet you.  May the wind be always at your back.  May the sun shine warm upon your face; the rains fall soft upon your fields.  And, until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of His hand.”

We Love you and will always remember the love and kindness that you laid upon us all. Thank you for all that you taught us, we will never forget you. We will miss you beyond belief. Rest in peace our beautiful Jessie.

In Lieu of flowers, Donations can be made to Tri-City Domestic Violence and the Benton Franklin Humane Society.

The Celebration of Life will be Directly across from 241 Ada Street, Beverly Heights.