Reverend Jesse Harkins was born on September 9, 1939 in Calhoun, GA to the late Dorsey Harkins and Vertie Lafevre Harkins. He and his three siblings spent many years in the Church of God Home for Children. Called the “little preacher” there as a child, he grew into his calling. He married his high school sweet heart, Joan Sexton, and they had two children, Andrea and Derenny. Their passion for ministry lead them to pastor in Jasper, GA (Deer Park COG) Gainesville, GA (Gainesville COG) and Woodstock, GA (Bells Ferry COG).
Apart from the ministry he was also involved with business endeavors in home building and men’s clothing. He formed the Men’s Den clothing chain in the 1960s.
Reverend Jesse Harkins, 76, of Gainesville passed away on Saturday, March 12, 2016.
Rev. Harkins will be sorely missed by his family: wife Joan Harkins of Gainesville; son, Derenny Lyle Harkins of Gainesville; daughter and son-in-law, Andrea and Rodney Smith of Gainesville; grandchild, Grayson Smith of Gainesville; brother and sister-in-law, Harvey and Patty Harkins of Cleveland, TN; brother and sister-in-law, David and Patsy Harkins of Cartersville, GA; sister and brother-in-law, Susie and Joe Brown of Cartersville, GA.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, March 15, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. in the Chapel of Memorial Park Funeral Home. He will lie in state at Calhoun Community Church from 3-5 p.m. with interment to follow at Fain Cemetery in Calhoun, GA. Reverend Joey Hamby, Reverend Mike Grizzle and Reverend Terry Jones will officiate. The family will receive friends on Monday, March 14, 2016 from 5-7 p.m. at Memorial Park Funeral Home.
Memorial Park Funeral Home, 2030 Memorial Park Road, Gainesville, GA 30504 is in charge of arrangements.
Send online condolences to www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com.
