Jessie Lou “J.L.” Hunt, 100, of Coffeyville, Kan., died Monday, March 25, 2019, at Coffeyville Regional Medical Center after a brief hospitalization.
Jessie Lou Armstrong was born July 25, 1918, in Midland, Texas, to Fountain Barcus Armstrong and Nelle Amelia Armstrong. She grew up in the rural Midland-Odessa area and attended Midland High School, graduating in 1934 at age 16. She began nursing school in El Paso, Texas, but became ill with appendicitis, went home to Midland to recover and never returned to nurses training.
She married Barton Louis Hunt on Feb. 6, 1943, in Midland. Following his World War II service in the U.S. Army Air Corps, they lived in Texas and Arkansas before moving to Coffeyville in 1951 to raise their four daughters.
Despite more than six decades in Kansas as a transplant, J.L. remained a proud Texan. She told entertaining stories of her childhood – riding her horse Wick, making Kool-Aid for the cowboys working at the cattle ranch where her father was foreman, learning to swim in a river and many others. She was a faithful fan of the Dallas Cowboys pro football team.
J.L. enjoyed attending her children’s and grandchildren’s sports competitions, dance recitals and other events. She was a member of the Coffeyville First United Methodist Church and for years an active member and volunteer in the Pioneer Chapter of the American Red Cross. She also belonged to the local association of the Women's International Bowling Congress and was a longtime bowler in leagues at Edgewood Lanes in Coffeyville.
J.L. was preceded in death by her husband, daughter Lynn Mayfield and brother Fount T. Armstrong. Survivors include daughters Betty (Roger) Gossard and Gail (Doug) Misch of Coffeyville; Lee Ann (Jeff) Martin of Lenexa, Kan.; niece Ann Al-Jazrawi of Richmond, Texas, and her family;10 grandchildren: Mary Mayfield of Belton, Mo.; Andy Mayfield of Shawnee, Kan.; Jen (Tristan) Hanson-Smith of Missouri City, Texas; Jeff Gossard of Coffeyville; Jamie (Justin) Murdock of Cookeville, Tenn.; Mark Misch of Colorado Springs, Colo.; Meredith (Ryan) DuPree of Kansas City, Mo.; Chad Martin and Connor Martin of Lenexa and Casey Martin of Olathe, Kan.; and 12 great-grandchildren.
Cremation has taken place. The family is planning a celebration of life service at a later date. Memorial gifts may be made to the Coffeyville First United Methodist Church or the Salvation Army Community Service Volunteers in Coffeyville. They can be sent in care of the David W. Barnes Funeral Home, 306 N. Cline Road, Coffeyville, KS 67337.
