Jessie Mae Kirkendol, 77, of Carthage, TX, formerly of Victoria, TX, passed away on Saturday morning, July 20, 2019, at home near Carthage. Jessie Mae Sanders was born on Nov. 30, 1941, in Carthage to the late Jesse and Elsie Lee Allison Sanders. She married Wayne Kirkendol on Oct. 23, 1971, and he preceded her in death in 2010. Mrs. Kirkendol earned a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in Education and worked as a teacher for over 45 years with Victoria I.S.D. before her retirement. During her long teaching career, she participated in and was a member of T.E.A. and N.E.A. She moved to Victoria in 1971, and where she was a member of the North Heights Church of Christ. Mrs. Kirkendol was also preceded in death by a niece, Bonnie L. Gates.

Left to cherish her memory are her siblings, Ruby Walker, Welton Sanders, and Lee A. Gates all of Carthage; step-daughter, Shawna Cuellar and husband Juan of Manor; step-grandchildren, Jessica and Kalup Cuellar of Manor; mother-in-law, Ora Lee Littles of Goliad; sisters-in-law, Alice Bland (Alvin), Helen Canady (George), and Theresa Gant (George); brothers-in-law, Lloyd Sams, Richard Littles, Ray D. Littles, Jr. (Nadine), Alfred Littles (Cynthia), and Boyd Littles; nieces, Ruby Jean White, Josephine Baker, and Crystal Gates; and nephews, Bobby Gibson, Herbert Walker, Welton Sanders, Jr., and Tony Sanders. Numerous great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, other relatives, and many friends also survive.

A funeral service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 24, 2019, at Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home Chapel in Carthage. A graveside service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, July 26, 2019, at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Victoria. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday at Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.