Georgia Quilt Museum

Jessie McCoy

By Fern Richardson

    At one time or another in the last seventeen years, anyone who has been involved in quilting in Georgia has encountered Jessie’s smiling visage or benefited from her endeavors. Behind that amiable, energetic persona is one of the most fascinating histories one is likely to experience.
    Jessie’s background is in nursing. When she married Mac, he took her to exotic places: Hong Kong, China, and Brazil. Their lives as missionaries were also enriched by having five children, all except one having been born during those years abroad.
Jessie’s earliest memories are of a paternal grandmother’s Log Cabin and String quilts. In Brazil she used the early interest in hand-made products to create stuffed toys. In 1963 they were reassigned to the States and New Jersey became home. The growing years of her children provided impetus for the continuing expression of her creative energies.
    Fast forward to 1983: Mac and Jessie decide to retire, well, as much as one can “retire” and go on being as productive as they continued to be. Jessie characterizes Mac as a scholar who shared her interest in all things quilt-related, this to the great delight of the many beneficiaries of his talents. At the first Council symposium Mac took on the responsibilities of treasurer. That support made possible Jessie’s two-year presidency of the Yellow Daisy Quilt Guild, which she recalls as one of the highlights of her career.
    World travel continued to occupy an important niche in retirement. That, and quilting, and by now quilting friends in all those varied places, made the happiest of combinations. The quilt that Jessie contributed to the Olympic Project went to the National Committee of Brazil in what she calls a serendipitous happening, which further added to that connectedness.
    A vital interest in new and varied techniques has fueled her continuing production, and the walls and beds of her home give testament to that prolific nature. When I brought up the subject of discipline, Jessie outlined how she manages to stay on task and finish projects, at the same time mulling over and gradually putting together materials and source books for the next project, which she is as likely to do by hand as by machine!
    By the time Mac died in November of 1999, they had built the ideal retirement home on a tree-shaded lot. The house has an enclosed communal porch with lots of windows and a door that connects to her daughter’s house. The best-of-all worlds part, however, is that, in addition, she has a designated workroom and closet just for fabric.
    Just as she has shared her knowledge and the products of her talents literally throughout the world, she generously shared with me the pattern for a stunning red and white quilt, her current endeavor. Look for her Union Army Encircled Star at the next quilt show. Remember, I told you she has discipline.


October 2000
 

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