Mr. Jesse Boston

Mr. Jesse Boston, age 95, was born on January 28, 1926 and was called to his eternal home on Wednesday, February 24, 2021. Jesse Boston was born in Emporia, Virginia on January 28, 1926 to Annie and Charlie Boston. Jesse was reared by his parents, aunts and uncles and his half-sister Mattie Boston at different stages in his development until age 17. Jesse recounted that these were happy times in life. Jesse graduated from high school in 1943. While attending the funeral of his father, he was encouraged to apply to St. Augustine College in Raleigh, North Carolina. Immediately after starting his education at St. Augustine College, he was drafted into the United States Army in 1944. He served in the Army until his honorable discharge in June 1946. Jesse then returned to St. Augustine College to complete his college education, graduating in 1950. Jesse Boston began working at an early age. His first job was as a golf caddie at 14 years of age. His true love, occupation and career was that of educator. Jesse began his career as an educator in the Alamance County School System and was employed with the Durham City School System until 1991 when he retired after 41 years of employment. Jesse began his career with Durham City Schools as a teacher at Whitted Junior High School. Prior to retirement, he worked as Assistant Principal at Holton Junior High School. Jesse was always a strong advocate for education and served as mentor for many of his students. Jesse married Naomi Edgecombe soon after graduating from St. Augustine College. Their Son, Bryson Boston was born in 1954. Jesse married Mary Minor in October 1971 and remained married until the time of her death in 2013. He became Father to Claude Toombs through this marriage. Jesse was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Mary Boston, and his son Claude Toombs. He is survived by Son Bryson Norris Boston, Grandchildren Brianna and Nicholas Toombs, Daughters Juanita Boston and Lisa Toombs, Cousins-Darlene, Greg, Jason and Gerald Brown, Virginia Williams, Joan and Perry Correa, Rosa Byrd, Fannie Costello, and Frank and Jimmy Williams, many nieces and nephews and Family Friends Theodora Lynne Peaks Griffin and her daughter Brandi Moore and Mrs. Sheila Lee. Jesse was always active and served his community and church until the decline in his health in recent months. He was a long-time member of St. Joseph’s African Methodist Episcopal Church. He served as Steward, Steward Emeritus, as an Usher and member of the Berean Men’s Class in Sunday School. He attended Sunday School and especially enjoyed Vacation Bible School. Jesse always said that he started playing golf in the cow pastures in Virginia. Golf and tennis were truly his passions. He spent many days on the golf courses with friends. He spent many special days teaching Bryson the techniques as a child and playing rounds of golf with him as an adult. Jesse and Bryson attended the Volvo Open Tennis Tournaments in Charleston, South Carolina and the U. S. Open Tournaments in Queens, New York. He would be up at all times of the night watching golf and tennis tournaments. Jesse and Mary loved to travel and traveled to Italy, England, the Caribbean Islands and many states within the United States. He always joked that he could get all his travel possessions in one bag and Mary had so many bags that it looked as if she tried to carry everything from the house. Jesse, Naomi Edgecombe Boston, Russell Blount and five other alumni of St. Augustine College were the charter members of the Durham Chapter of the St. Augustine Alumni Association. Jesse was an active member of the Durham Chapter until the time of his passing. He served as the President of the Chapter and held many other offices over the years. Jesse combined his love for St. Augustine College, the Durham Chapter and golf when the Chapter started the Jesse Boston Classic Scholarship Golf Tournament in 2010. He worked tirelessly recruiting and working the tournament which was held each year at the Hillandale Golf Course in Durham, NC. Hillandale Golf Course made sure that he had a red golf cart at his disposal during the tournaments. Jesse recruited golfing friends from many states to join him at the tournament and in supporting the scholarship effort. Jesse loved St. Augustine College and the Durham Chapter. Jesse was an active member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. Late in the evening on February 24, 2021, a band of Angels arrived to take Jesse Boston-our Dad to be with the Lord. “His Master said to him-well done, good and faithful servant….” Matthew 25:23 A private family service of celebration has been scheduled to celebrate the life of Mr. Jesse Boston on Saturday, March 13, 2021, at 12:00 noon at St. Joseph AME Church, 2521 Fayetteville Street, Durham, North Carolina 27707. The service of celebration will be streamed live at https://www.stjosephame.org/ Please keep his son, Bryson Boston, daughters-in-law, Juanita Boston and Lisa Toombs, grandchildren Brianna Toombs and Nicholas Toombs, and the entire family in your thoughts and in your prayers. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Jesse Boston Scholarship Fund through the Saint Augustine's University giving page. http://saintaugustinesuniversity.formstack.com/forms/giving_form

Mr. Jesse Boston

January 28, 1926 - February 24, 2021