Jesse Foy Sr.

Jesse Foy, Sr. was born to the parents of Lewis Bell Foy and Addie Lee Phillips Foy on May 9, 1930, in Hardaway Alabama. Jesse, affectionately known as Bubba, grew up on a 20-acre parcel of land acquired by his grandfather, John Henry Foy, shortly after the Civil War. The Foy compound was filled with love, laughter, and plenty of family. During his childhood Jesse spent a lot of time playing with his many cousins and eight siblings. When he grew older, he began to assist at his father’s blacksmith shop and his aunt’s and uncle’s general store. And with his entrepreneurial spirit as a young boy; Jesse, accompanied by his dog Buster, sold garden seeds and cosmetics. In his early teen-age years, he was baptized and became a member of the family church, Demascus Missionary Baptist Church.

After completing his education at Prairie Farm High School; Jesse enlisted in the US Army. He served in France and Germany during the Korean War and after the desegregation of the US Army in 1948, Jesse became one of the earliest black Military Police officers. After being honorably discharged, Jesse joined several of his brothers who had decided to move to New Jersey in search of greater opportunities. Jesse worked in the construction industry as part of the Laborers Union, Local 472 and served as the shop steward. Jesse enrolled in an operating engineering program and upon completion, he joined the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 825 where he excelled as a skilled engineer.

Jesse continued to be a devoted and faithful Christian throughout his life, and in 1980 he joined Mount Ararat Missionary Baptist church in Monroe Township (Formally known as Mt Arie). He worked on the Usher Board and later joined the Nurses Unit. Jesse became an Ordained Deacon in 1982. He established a food pantry at the church, and he enjoyed ministering, volunteering, visiting the sick and shut in, and helping out wherever needed. While attending Mt. Ararat, Jesse also met and married his beloved wife Thelma in 1991. They were inseparable and when you saw one, you saw the other. They enjoyed traveling, gardening and many activities together. In 2002, Jesse along with his wife Thelma joined 1st Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens and soon after they became active in the church by joining the Culinary and Missionary Ministries.

After retirement, Jesse remained active through volunteerism and with his church. For many years he would assist with feeding and entertaining older veterans. In 2016, Jesse received a Presidential Commendation from Barack Obama for his many hours of volunteerism and service to the community. Jesse was very active in several Military Organizations. He became the first black member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 262. Jesse rose to the rank of Commander and was a lifetime member. He also belonged to the American Legion and the Elks in Jamesburg, NJ. Jesse took pride in helping others, he organized and arranged picnics and lunches at various Veterans Homes. 

Jesse had an incredible zest for life and a laugh that was infectious. He could be stern and no nonsense when need be and friendly and compassionate to all. He was a stranger to none and a true gentleman. He had a special love for children and especially his grandchildren. They gave him joy to be around.

Jesse passed away peacefully on March 27, 2023, at the age of 92. He is predeceased by his parents, Lewis and Addie Foy; siblings Lefarich Foy Sr., Luther Foy, Sr., Clarence Foy, Sr., Lucille Foy Darden, Lindberg Foy, Louise Foy, Amos Foy, Sr., John Lewis Foy; granddaughter, Tiffany Victoria Foy; son-in-law, Halime Jackson; father-in-law, Eddie Lee Coleman; mother-in-law, Earlene Coleman; and sister-in-law, Essie Boswell (Ezel).

He is survived by his loving wife of 31 years, Thelma Coleman Foy; brother Frederick Foy, Sr.; his children: Arnold Hill, Sr. (Yvonne), Barbara Foy (Larry), Jesse Foy, Jr. (Deborah), Maurice Foy (Ann), Bernard Foy (Jackie), Janice Foy-Cribb (Michael),  Donique Foy Jackson, Roosevelt McCreary, and Mizan Kairu; a sister-in-law, Lois Foy; 14 grandchildren and a host of great-grandchildren, cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

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