Smith, Jessie Capshaw
Jessie Eudora Capshaw (1903-1991) was one of the original 12 students to enroll the first term of the Bible Training School, now Lee University.
Living at Gastonia, North Carolina, at the time she enrolled at the Bible school, "Little Jessie" (as she was known endearingly) was the youngest student at age 14. Already a preacher, her goal was to become better equipped to assist her father, Bishop W. A. Capshaw, in his ministry. The father-daughter ministry team already had earned a reputation for effective ministry throughout the Southeast.
Interestingly, before Jessie enrolled at the Bible school, she and her father had helped plant churches at Dunn and Kentwood, Louisiana. They directly influenced members of the Walker family and other individuals at those locations who would, in turn, would impact the Bible school positively in future years. Jessie also was a musician, and her instruments of choice were the drum and tambourine.
Little Jessie completed the first term successfully and made plans to return for the fall term. However, during the summer her father was injured in an automobile accident and Jessie felt he needed her care during recovery. She never resumed her classes at the Bible school.
Jessie later assisted with local church ministry in Tennessee and Michigan following her 1921 marriage to James A. Smith. She spent her last years at Monroe, Michigan, where she died in 1991, and is buried at Detroit, Michigan.
/ L.F. Morgan
Living at Gastonia, North Carolina, at the time she enrolled at the Bible school, "Little Jessie" (as she was known endearingly) was the youngest student at age 14. Already a preacher, her goal was to become better equipped to assist her father, Bishop W. A. Capshaw, in his ministry. The father-daughter ministry team already had earned a reputation for effective ministry throughout the Southeast.
Interestingly, before Jessie enrolled at the Bible school, she and her father had helped plant churches at Dunn and Kentwood, Louisiana. They directly influenced members of the Walker family and other individuals at those locations who would, in turn, would impact the Bible school positively in future years. Jessie also was a musician, and her instruments of choice were the drum and tambourine.
Little Jessie completed the first term successfully and made plans to return for the fall term. However, during the summer her father was injured in an automobile accident and Jessie felt he needed her care during recovery. She never resumed her classes at the Bible school.
Jessie later assisted with local church ministry in Tennessee and Michigan following her 1921 marriage to James A. Smith. She spent her last years at Monroe, Michigan, where she died in 1991, and is buried at Detroit, Michigan.
/ L.F. Morgan