Jessie Marie Martin DeBusk, 107, passed away on Monday, July 28, 2025, at her home in Urbanna.
Mrs. DeBusk was born on Aug. 18, 1917, in Sweet Springs, W.Va., a daughter of the late Harry Adolphus and Edith (Baker) Martin. She grew up in the small community of Sinks Grove, W.Va. and attended a one-room school through the eighth grade.
In order to attend high school, Jessie boarded with a Methodist minister, the Rev. Charles York, in nearby Union, W.Va., helping to care for the York children. She moved with the family when the Rev. York was transferred to Front Royal, and graduated from high school and Strayer Business School there.
In 1939, the Yorks were transferred to Urbanna and Jessie moved with the family. With the outbreak of World War II, the Rev. York was transferred to Fort Monroe and Jessie chose to remain in Urbanna, where she was employed by the Bank of Middlesex. Over the next 52 years, she worked her way up from file clerk to trust officer and vice president.
In 1957, Jessie married Emory DeBusk, who preceded her in death in 1958.
As an Urbanna resident, she was an active member of Urbanna United Methodist Church. She taught upper elementary Sunday school classes for 44 years and served on various committees. Jessie was also an enthusiastic member of the Urbanna/Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce. During her tenure with the chamber, she was instrumental in securing a Coat of Arms for Middlesex County (1976) and obtaining the 1755 Mitchell Map for the Urbanna Museum and Visitors Center (1980). She was honored as a grand marshall for the 1985 Urbanna Oyster Festival Parade. Jessie was also an active member of the Middlesex County Woman’s Club for 85 years and especially enjoyed being part of the club’s quilting group. She was instrumental in developing the recipe for the club’s famous crab bisque, which is a favorite of Urbanna Oyster Festival attendees.
In addition to her husband and parents, Jessie was preceded in death by an infant older brother, Graden Brown Martin; her brother and sister-in-law, William R. and Faye Martin; her sister and brother-in-law, Mayo and Shelby Lemons; and her sister and brother-in-law, Frances and Everett Pruitt.
She is survived by eight nieces and nephews, Harry (Dot) Pruitt of Poquoson, Lucy Jones of Saltville, Retta (Ashley) Conner of Abingdon, Linda (Clay) Walker of Gainesville, Fla.; Gary (Betty) Lemons of Pickaway, W.Va., Jane (Richard) Rhoades of Clearbrook, Connie Copeland of Union, W.Va.; Nancy (Robert) Vance of McDowell; along with numerous great- and great-great-nieces and nephews. Jessie will also be missed by her many friends, helpers, and caregivers, whom she appreciated so very much.
A celebration of life is planned for 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 23 at Urbanna United Methodist Church. Mrs. DeBusk was interred at Monticello Memory Gardens in Charlottesville.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Urbanna United Methodist Church Scholarship Fund, in care of Rev. Carl Perez, P.O. Box 217 Urbanna, VA 23175.
Faulkner Funeral Homes, Bristow-Faulkner Chapel, Saluda, is assisting the family.
