Jessie Louise Daniel was born in Pampa, TX on October 20, 1942, to Pastors Murlon and Lily Cox. In all the places Jessie lived in Texas, she was an exemplary student, loved God and His church, and made friends quickly and easily. As a young teenager she received an inner call from God to serve as a missionary in a foreign country. This plan of God was to be fulfilled with the husband designed for her life.
Billy Paul Daniel first laid eyes on Jessie in Spearman, Texas while he was there doing a seasonal construction job. Her father, M. C. Cox, was then the pastor of the local Assembly of God church. She was 14 and Billy Paul was 19, so there were no thoughts or sparks of marriage until years later.
Jessie went to work at the Daniel Memorial Children’s home (now Pleasant Hills) after her first year of college at Southwestern Assembly of God in Waxahachie in 1963.
A few months later, she and Billy Paul were divinely attracted. By the following year, she chose to not only become his wife, but answer God’s call to serve others and minister the Gospel with him for the rest of her life. They were married in the chapel of the children’s home on Sept. 19, 1964. Then, a few years later, the next decades of a true God adventure began. With five years of marriage under their belts, two small children, and unwavering trust in God and His faithfulness, they drove out of Fairfield, TX in January of 1969, all the way to Guadalajara, Mexico.
Jessie celebrated 55 years of ministry in Mexico with Billy Paul on January 6, 2024. They dedicated their lives to loving the people God called them to. No matter what the need or occasion called for, Jessie gave selflessly to her family and others. She fed the hungry, clothed the naked and loved the unlovely. This was done through earthquake victim relief, medical outreach, feeding programs and countless meals, prayers, support, and hope to many of all ages. She dried tears, laughed, hugged, listened, and comforted.
Her greatest joy was to lead any one of any age to the heart of God.
God used Jessie mightily to bring people to the saving knowledge and experience of Jesus Christ. She told people about Jesus everywhere that she went. When people encountered Jessie, they encountered Jesus. Everyone was welcome at her table and in her heart. Cinnamon rolls, banana bread and lots of delicious beans and rice, with chicken fried steak and biscuits most weeks as well, were available to all. Missionaries, ministers, families, work teams and young people from all over Mexico, and around the world, came to eat at her table.
Everyone mattered, every life had value, and even the youngest child got to experience the love of Jesus through her life. Her legacy continues through the lives of her descendants and countless spiritual children.
Jessie Louise Daniel reached her glorious reward with our Heavenly Father, surrounded by family on Saturday, March 2, 2024, at the age of 81.
She is survived by Billy Paul Daniel, her loving husband of 59 years. With tears of sadness and joy she will be remembered by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her children are Stephen Daniel, Sarah and husband Keith Hogden, Sonny Daniel, Sheryl, and husband Daryl Allen. Her grandchildren, Victoria and husband Skyler, Jennings and wife Emily, Robbie, Julia, John (J. D.), Rachel, Benjamin, Paul, Abigail, Olivia, and Faith. Her great grandchildren, Julianne, Abraham, and Ariel.
She is also survived by her wonderful sisters Mertice Davis, Murlene and husband Ted Grizzle as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Her life will be celebrated on March 7, 2024, at 2:00pm at Pleasant Hills Children’s Home. She will be buried at Daniel Memorial Cemetery (on the property of the Home), next to the founders, Mr. Jennings Bryan Daniel, and his wife Louise Daniel.
The Daniel, Hogden and Allen families want to thank all who have been a part, and have blessed us during this time, in honoring the life of Jessie Daniel. We are deeply grateful.
We also want to thank Rev. Harry and Rev. Martha Thomassen, Executive Directors of Pleasant Hills Children’s Home, for their long time faithful and excellent service to God and their continuous kindness and honor to the Daniel family.
“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves;” 2 Corinthians 4:7 NASB1995
