Jesse Oswald Waddell, Jr., a devoted Christian man, left this earth and entered heaven on April 27, 2026. He was born to Jesse Oswald Waddell, Sr. and his wife, Hilda Davis Waddell (both deceased) on March 7, 1949. Those 77 years on this earth were filled with love, service and adventure.
Jesse (“Bo” to family members) built boats, rode motorcycles (almost to Alaska!), and took wonderful trips with his siblings. He served as a deacon and usher at Whitesburg Baptist Church where he taught Sunday School for years. He was also active in Bible Study Fellowship. As a deacon, he was responsible for the care of four widowed ladies, and he adopted three more. He had the ability to see a need and immediately find a way to meet it.
Jesse joined the Marines upon graduation from Auburn. He served at Fort Pendleton, CA. Upon finishing his required time, he returned to Auburn and completed a second degree in civil engineering, then went to the University of Tennessee for his master’s degree.
He worked in Florida, Georgia and Alabama, developing residential areas. He was the Madison City engineer for several years.
Once a Marine, always a Marine was the word he gave to the family on a regular basis. Ever the tough person who was taught to fight, Jesse had a most tender heart. Seeing anyone hurting broke his heart and he was able to encourage and minister to so many because of the life he had experienced.
Jesse is survived by his wife of 17 years, Shirley Warren Waddell; two children, Matthew Waddell (Carmen), and Adrienne Lemmond (Shaw); three siblings, Ramsey Plott Williams, Mary Lou Moritz (Charles), and sister-in-law, Martha Flanagan; and grandchildren, Lila, Nora and Keegan Lemmond, and Jude, Noah, Elijah and Addy Adkins.
Jesse was predeceased by Rosalind Zimmerman Waddell, his first wife of 30 years, and the mother of his children; Susan Thrasher Waddell, his second wife; siblings, Janice Flanagan and Johnny Flanagan.
Jesse’s desire was to be greeted by his Father with the words: “You have fought a good fight, and finished the race, you have kept the faith.”
Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at Whitesburg Baptist Church South Campus. The funeral will follow at 1 p.m. with Dr. Darryl Craft officiating. Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery.
Pallbearers are Charlie Plott, Mickey Plott, William Plott, Jack Plott, Justin Plott, and Dickie Waddell. Honorary pallbearers are the ushers of Whitesburg Baptist Church.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Whitesburg Baptist Church building fund or Bible Study Fellowship International.
