Jessie Mae (Krepps) Pullen, 81, of Buckhannon was surrounded by loved ones on Sunday, October 10, 2021, when she was reunited with her husband at Heaven’s gate. She was born on May 19, 1940, in Milton, WV, a daughter of the late Paul Krepps and Dorothy (Burks) Krepps. Jessie was married to the love of her life, Larry O. Pullen, for 56 years until his death on August 23, 2017. Together, they shared a life full of travels, family, and love for animals.
Jessie graduated from Milton High School as part of the Class of 1958. She worked as a beautician during the early years of her life, eventually owning her own beauty shop in her house in Culloden, WV. Jessie was a kind-hearted person to the neighborhood children often finding chores for them to do to earn a haircut. This was one of her many traits in helping them to learn responsibility. During the time she was operating her shops, she always found time to cook delicious meals. One of the highlights, were her sweets, particularly peanut butter fudge, which she soon became famous for around Milton. Jessie liked to collect recipes and would try most of them at least once. Many of her neighbors and friends would often have an opportunity to enjoy her cooking.
Jessie enjoyed reading and writing poetry, but her greatest passion was found in the moments she spent with her friends and family. Jessie’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the light of her life, and she spent much of her time talking and sharing her memories of them. Jessie never knew a stranger and had a way of making everyone she met feel special. Whether it was caring for an animal, small child or stranger at the store, Jessie’s love for life was abundant and will live on in those lucky enough to know her. At the end of the day, nothing made Jessie happier than a Domino’s pizza, a slice of pie, and a room full of the people she loved.
Jessie was a member of the Union Baptist Church in Milton, WV. Her faith guided every word she spoke and every life she touched, as Jessie lived each day as an embodiment of the word of Christ. Always willing to “work for a cause”, Jessie took on projects frequently such as the naming of a bridge in Culloden to honor Willie Amos, a Milton High School graduate killed in Vietnam. She also worked as a primary organizer for her Milton High School class reunion, and she took great pride in being a Greyhound from the Class of 1958.
As the wife of a railroad employee, she lived in several places, but often said that her years in the Buckhannon area were some of her best times. After retiring from her career as a beautician, Jessie began her friendship with Linda (Foster) Riegel and Darrell Foster as she began caring for their four young children- Todd, Tonya, Travis, and Taylor Foster. This relationship grew into a lifetime of love and memories that will be cherished for years to come. Jessie had many longtime friends there, and always talked of returning there to be with the “caring” people she loved. After returning home to Buckhannon, she called many of her friends and told them how happy she was, and that she did the right thing. Thanks to the loving care of Tonya Foster, Jessie’s final months on earth were filled with laughter, family, and plenty of pie.
Jessie leaves behind 2 daughters: Shana Jane Montalvo (Ken) from Milton, WV, and Sheila Annette Foster (Dwane) of Milton, WV, 3 grandchildren: Scott Foster (Lindsey), Cameron Shifflett (Vanessa) and Sarah Stacy (James), 6 great-grandchildren: Samuel Stacy, Ryan Stacy, Rhett Stacy, Maya Foster, Sofie Foster and Joanna Foster, one brother: Charles Mac Krepps of Hurricane, WV, one sister: Polly Marshall of Fairmont, WV, and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one sister, Frannie Krepps Wallin, and one sister-in-law, Edna Krepps.
Jessie’s memory will be cherished by her life-long friend Betty Richter and husband Rick of Florida. She also shared many memories and late nights full of dessert with her “Golden Girls”- Anne, Wanda, and Yvonne.
Jessie’s Buckhannon family would like to express deep gratitude to Dr. Bartley Brown and the St. Joseph’s Hospital nursing and respiratory staff for their compassionate care for Jessie and our family. A very special “thank you” is extended to Cathy Malcolm for the love, laughter, and friendship she provided Jessie throughout the last months of her life. We would also like to thank Bonnie Blackburn, Susan Abbott, Linda Smith, Wendy Anderson, and Rick Eubank, among others that continued to provide Jessie friendship and love through her final days.
Jessie’s wish for cremation has been honored by Hardman Family Funeral Home of Weston. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Online condolences and life stories in memory of Jessie may be expressed at hardmanfamilyfuneralhome.com. In honor of her love for animals, special remembrances of Jessie can be made through donations to local animal shelters in her name.
Hardman Family Funeral Home of Weston considers it an honor and privilege to serve the family of Jessie Mae (Krepps) Pullen.
