Jessie Pulley

Mrs. Jessie L. “Sister” Pulley was born on March 10, 1947, in Greenville, South Carolina, to the late David and Jessie A. Simpkins. She was the eldest daughter of seven siblings. She departed this life on February 25, 2017, at St. Francis Hospital Downtown surrounded by her loving family.

Jessie was educated in the public schools of Greenville County; soon after, she started a career working in restaurants preparing and cooking food for the public. Jessie always had a strong work ethic and loved cooking. During her career, she was a kitchen manager at Hardee’s, and a lead cook at Bojangles, from which she retired due to her illness.

“Sister” grew up mainly in the Freetown Community, where she frequently visited Friendship Baptist Church and met her children’s father, the late Ronald Gaines. She moved to New York for a few years, then returned and married the late Melvin Pulley. They moved to Laurens County for several years, before returning to Greenville.

“Sister” was a person who enjoyed life and having fun. She was an honest person about her feelings, and did not mind telling you how she felt. As a young person coming up, she loved and protected her baby sister, Linda Simpkins. Linda and Jessie Lee were the only two girls out of seven children.

Jessie “Sister” Pulley was predeceased by a son, Ronald Bernard Gaines, and a daughter, Angela “Sweet Pea” Simpkins” and four brothers, David, Billy James, Joseph and Charles Simpkins.

She leaves to cherish many fond memories, two daughters, Dovetta “Vet” Simpkins and Samantha Gaines; one son, Greg (Denise W) Gaines; a grandson, John (India) Kilgore; one loving baby sister, Linda Simpkins; two brothers, Herbert Simpkins and Larry Wideman, all of Greenville; she also leaves memories to five half-sisters; thirty-six grandchildren; thirty-nine great-grandchildren and host of relatives and friends