Jessie Elizabeth Park Brandes was born on February 10, 1929 and ended her journey here on November 3, 2010. “Miss Jessie,” as she was known by her Camp Fire associates, was born in Forest Hills, Pennsylvania to Isabelle Maddock Park and Peter P. Park. She graduated from Wilkinsburg High School and from Grove City College, from which she secured a degree in English with highest honors. She participated actively in the Outing Club (which she called her “second major”) and Alpha Theta Mu Honor Society. She was initiated into the honor society that later became Grove City College’s affiliate with Phi Beta Kappa. Throughout her life, she was a gifted speaker and writer.
Continuing her interest in camping, hiking, and other outdoor activities, Miss Jessie began a long career with Camp Fire Girls upon graduation from college. She worked as a field director in Battle Creek, Michigan for six years and then chose to accept a position as Executive Director of the Beaumont Council of Camp Fire Girls in 1956. She held that position until March 1963, when she had her first daughter, Elizabeth.
Miss Jessie married Robert W. Brandes in September 1961. Daughter Elizabeth’s birth was followed by the arrival of daughter Robin in July 1965. During her hiatus from Camp Fire Girls, Miss Jessie took great pleasure in decorating elaborate wedding cakes and other celebration cakes for many area residents. She also enjoyed spending time honing her considerable skills in every type of craft project imaginable. However, her strong belief in the programs and principles of the Camp Fire program ultimately drew her back to her initial career with Camp Fire. She returned to the Beaumont Council of Camp Fire Girls as Executive Director in 1973 and carried out that position with determination and enthusiasm until her retirement in 1995. The National Camp Fire organization recognized her with the Luther Halsey Gulick Award, Camp Fire’s highest honor, and dedicated the Chapel at her beloved Camp Niwana to her and husband Bob.
Miss Jessie also volunteered in various school programs. She helped to develop the Parent Volunteer Program for the South Park Independent School District in the late 1960s. She served as the President of the Parent-Teacher Associations at Amelia Elementary, Vincent Junior High School, and Forest Park High School, where she also served as President of the Forest Park Band Boosters. She was also appointed to the South Park Independent School District Committee responsible for planning the early steps of the integration of the district.
In the community, Miss Jessie participated in Beta Sigma Phi and Pilot Club, serving as presidents of both. She also actively supported the YWCA and served on its board for many years. Miss Jessie also chaired the J. C. Penney “Golden Rule” Community Volunteer Award selection committee for several years. Within her church, First United Methodist Church, Miss Jessie served as Chairman of the Administrative Board and received the Second Mile Award for exceptional service to the church. She participated in the United Methodist Women and the Archive Committee and enjoyed many church activities, particularly those with her many friends in the YoMaCo Sunday School class.
Miss Jessie is survived by her husband, Robert Brandes, of Beaumont, daughter, Elizabeth Pratt and her husband, Ford, of Katy; and daughter, Robin Ray and her husband, Kevin Ray, of Hampton, Virginia. She leaves grandchildren Alex and Thomas Pratt of Katy, Robert Ray of Hampton, Virginia, and Elizabeth Rueger and her husband, Eric, of Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Miss Jessie’s funeral is set for 2:00 p.m. on Friday, November 5, 2010, at First United Methodist Church, 701 Calder Avenue in Beaumont. Burial will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park under the direction of Broussard’s Mortuary. A gathering of family and friends will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 4, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive in Beaumont.
The family thanks the many kind people at The Oaks who helped care for Miss Jessie during the later days of her battle against Alzheimer’s.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Beaumont-Port Arthur Camp Fire Council, 3037 25th St. Port Arthur, Texas 77642 or to the Alzheimer’s Association, 700 North St., Suite M, Beaumont, Texas 77701.
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