Position: center field, left field Bats: right Throws: right

Jesse was raised in Birmingham Alabama along side his brother, John and two sisters, Bessie and Ola Bell. His parents offered a safe and loving home to their children. His mother, Ola Bell, touched his life in the most wonderful and memorable ways. She was a homemaker, and loved to cook. She found great pleasure in entertaining family and friends. She sang in the church choir and volunteered her time to the church and for the missionary's. His father, Willie James was a great role model for Jessie. He worked as a laborer on the Southern Railroad. He found real enjoyment in sports, especially baseball and rarely missed his boy's play. Jessie loved to play baseball with his good friend Albert "Little Joe" Elliot. As it turns out Jesse and Albert would play together for American Cast Iron and Pipe Company (ACIPCO) and later with the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro Leagues. His baseball heroes consisted of such greats as Jackie Robinson and Willie Mays.

Jesse would spend his grade school years at Lewis Elementary School in Birmingham. He would than attend Parker High school but graduated from Ramsey High. Jesse remembers a special teacher, Mr. Vaughn; he was an excellent educator and a firm disciplinarian. His devotion to teaching and dedication to his students has left a lasting impression with Jesse all of these years.

Jessie felt the impact of discrimination in the 1950's as he traveled with the Birmingham Black Barons. The Negro League players were not allowed to stay in many of the hotels or dine in any restaurants. They would have to enter around back through the kitchen to get served a meal. Even their home games at Rickwood Field, would be put on hold until every other Sunday making sure the "white" Birmingham Barons playing time would come first.

One of Jesse's fondest memories was facing the Kansas City Monarchs in a double header at Connie Mack Stadium. Satchel Paige a Legendary Negro Leaguer would take the mound in the first game for the Monarchs, and re-appear as relief late in the second. Although Satchel's efforts would prove unsuccessful, Jesse's admiration and respect for this man would make sharing the field a great and unique experience. In 1959 Jesse would wear a Kansas City Monarchs uniform and play center field. He also played in the East West All-star games in 1955, 1956, and 1959 at Chicago's Comisky Park.

After baseball Jesse would go on to pursue a nursing career. He was employed for 25 years at Princeton hospital. He retired on September 23, 1999 from the famous Health South Medical Center, a certified nursing assistance facility. Those years brought Jesse great joy and satisfaction. Helping people was comfortable for Jesse as his parents modeled this very well and it was always very fulfilling for him to be a part of peoples lives.

Jesse is a proud father of two children, one son and one daughter.