Jessie Daniel Priest

Cordele - Jesse Daniel Priest, age 76, died peacefully on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, in Emory Houston Healthcare where he was surrounded by family and loving friends.

He was preceded in death by his father Jesse Webster Priest (d.1969) and his mother Willodene Hobbs Priest Bond (d.2003). He is survived by his sister Shirley Ann Priest of Smyrna, GA, many cousins on both the Stella Danforth Hobbs side of the family as well as the John Larkin Priest/Shirley Charpin line, his long-time girlfriend Judy Powers Daniels of Vienna, GA, and their furbaby Callie Belle and life-long friends.

Born in Moultrie Georgia, he grew up in the Tippettville Community and attended both Dooly High and Vienna Elementary schools and graduated from Vienna High School. He represented VHS in District meets in Chorus, Boy’s Solo, and Quartet and he was very athletic throughout high school. Although he loved skiing, swimming, baseball, and basketball, he loved to play football most of all.

He graduated from Southern Technical Institute in 1974 with a degree in Civil Engineering and worked as a Land Surveyor for 40 years. He had a home office listed as JD Priest and Associates. He loved his work and walking the land of Georgia.

Jesse was a Christian and member of Tippettville Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and song leader. Often, he sang solos or duets with other members. He loved old cemeteries but Tippettville Cemetery was where he place the American flag to remember our heritage and to honor the deceased.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at Noon in the Chapel of Hughes & Wright Funeral Home. Burial to follow the service in the Tippettville Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends beginning at 11:00 a.m.

Posted as a courtesy to the family of Jessie Daniel Priest. Hughes and Wright Funeral Home of Cordele, Georgia in charge of arrangements.