Jessee Franklin Osborne, 81, of Red House Rd., Appomattox, died Thursday, August 31, 2017, at Hospice of the Piedmont. He was widowed by his second wife, Beverly Bassett Hamilton Osborne.

Born in Washington County, Va., on June 30, 1936, Jessee was the 14 ^th of 15 children born to the late Claude Tony and Stella Rhudy Osborne. He was a US Army veteran. In 1957, he settled in Appomattox where he has been an active member of the community. Jessee never met a stranger, enjoyed spending time helping others, and loved talking with everyone.

He was a member of Liberty Baptist Church, and for 35 years worked for VDOT as an equipment repair supervisor. He was a member of the American Legion #104, the VFW #9855, Sons of the Confederacy # 1733, the Appomattox Historical Society, the Lynchburg Historical Society, the Jaycees, the Woodmen of the World Lodge #71, the American Legion Honor Guard, and a charter member of the Appomattox Volunteer Rescue Squad. Jessee was instrumental in starting the Dixie Youth program in Appomattox and the American Legion baseball team. He assisted in the building of the Woodmen of the World Dixie Youth Ball Field, where he spent many years umpiring behind home plate. He often said that that was one of the happiest times of his life, spending time with kids learning to play ball. He was instrumental in getting the monument for area veterans erected at the court house. He helped to build the first bateau and traveled many a river mile. Jessee spent many hours on the river hunting, fishing, canoeing, white water rafting, and cooking. He was a member of the South Eastern Cherokee Nation, where he was known as Jessee Brave Bear Osborne.

He is survived by a daughter, Stella Otway Osborne, and her mother, Ottie Huddleston of Appomattox; three sons, Kevin T. Hamilton, Keith A. Hamilton and wife, Kathleen, Kyle E. Hamilton and wife, Christy; seven grandchildren, Stephanie, Christine, Keith Jr., Kenneth, Kyleigh, and Kaden Hamilton, and Taylor Cox; and two sisters, Margaret Orr of Glade Springs, Va. and Dorothy Ann Forrester of Palm Coast, Fla.

He was preceded in death by nine brothers and three sisters: Ernest, Staley, Brooksie, Nellie, Pearl, Henry, Claude, Robert, James Ray, John, Sanders, and Billy.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Monday, September 4, 2017, at Liberty Baptist Church by Rev. Rusty Small and Rev. John Muth. Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery with military rites accorded by American Legion Post #104 and VFW #9855 combined honor guard.

The family will receive friends at Robinson Funeral Home on Sunday, September 3, from 4 until 6 p.m.

Jessee wanted to thank the people of Appomattox and surrounding areas for their love and friendship, and especially the ladies for their smiles and hugs.

Those wishing to make memorials, please consider Liberty Baptist Church, PO Box 485, Appomattox, VA 24522, or any of the organizations that Jessee was involved with.

The family wishes to thank the medical staff at UVA 4 ^th Floor, ICU, Stepdown, and Hospice of the Piedmont for their care and concern of Jessee during his illness.

Robinson Funeral Home and Cremation Service is serving the family. An online condolence may be sent by visiting www.robinsonfuneral.com