Jessie Barbara Chase was born on August 26, 1940, in Vienna, Maryland, to the late Robert F. Chase, Sr. and Missouri H. Chase. She was a proud member of the Mace’s Lane High School Class of 1958, graduating from Dorchester County’s segregated public high school for African American students during that era.

Jessie later made Columbia, Maryland her home for many years. There, she pursued a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Towson University while working as an administrative assistant for companies including Bendix Corporation. In 2012, she returned to her beloved hometown of Vienna, where she continued serving others as a substitute teacher with Wicomico County Public Schools.

Jessie had a deep passion for family history and became a devoted family archivist and planner for the Jolley Family reunions. She took great pride in her family’s rich and dynamic history, carefully researching census records and other artifacts dating back to the 18th century. Through her work, she traced and documented the family lineage and became an active storyteller, helping preserve cherished memories for generations to come.

Jessie was preceded in death by her father, Robert F. Chase, Sr.; her mother, Missouri H. Chase; and her younger sister, Margaret C. Flamer. She leaves to cherish her memory her brothers, Robert F. Chase, Jr. and Olin Chase; her niece, Shirelle (Charles); her nephew, Damon (Jessica); her great-nieces and great-nephews; and a host of cousins.