Jessie James Spates was born on January 8, 1954, in Lake City, South Carolina, to the late Ashley Spates and Verline Wallace Spates. Jessie departed this earthly life on Wednesday, February 24, 2021, at his residence.

Jessie attended Lake City High School and graduated in 1974. After graduation, Jessie worked in construction until he was employed as a machine operator at Wellman Industries in Johnsonville, South Carolina, in 1977. After forty-one years of excellent service rendered, he retired from Wellman in 2018.

Jessie attended St. Stephen Baptist Church in Cades, South Carolina, at a young age, and later on, he joined Greater St. Stephen Baptist Church in Lake City, South Carolina, where he took on the responsibility of being a trustee.

Jessie was a humble person who treasured family values and a good laugh. He was a fan of old country music, westerns, reading, traveling, spending holidays with loved ones, and cheering on the Dallas Cowboys whenever they played.

Jessie was preceded in death by his parents: Ashley and Verline Spates; three brothers: Ashley Spates Jr., Willie Spates, and James Edward Speights.

Jessie is survived by his four loving sisters: Roy Lee {William} Montgomery of Florence, SC; both Bertha Spates and Verlie Ann Williams of Lake City, SC; and Reatherlene Miles of New York, NY; three aunts: Kiziah Spates, Lula Mae Spates, and Frances Spates all of Lake City, SC; three special cousins: Danny Spates, Julian Spates, and Wilbur Epps; a special grandniece: Sage-ann Williams and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.