WS Chronicle

By Judie Holcomb-Pack

There are people who write. And then there are people who WRITE! Jessie Crockett is one of the latter. She has been writing for as long as she can remember. Even as a little girl, Jessie wrote rhymes and poetry. “I get up in the morning and I just start writing,” she said. 

Crockett’s writing has earned her 21 medals in the SilverArts literary competition of Senior Games and recently she published her second book of short stories and essays, “Encouraging Stories and Essays.” Jessie said, “Writing is my gift and writing my book gives me a chance to use my gift.”

Jessie graduated from Atkins High School in 1947 and wrote the class song and history. She also wrote the gossip column for the school newspaper, the “Maroon Wave.” Clinton Lockhart wrote as her yearbook class prophecy, “Jessie Meadows will be the editor of the New York Times.” She had wanted to be a journalist, but ended up working at and retiring from R. J. Reynolds.

Jessie said that “I feel at home when I’m writing” and writes when she feels inspired. She said, “I am a creative writer and sometimes I write when I get up in the morning and sometimes I write when I wake up at night.” And she doesn’t use a computer; she writes everything by hand, “in cursive,” she states.

Jessie has participated in the Piedmont Senior Games/SilverArts competitions since 1991and has won 21 medals. Chuck Vestal, Recreation and Parks Special Populations supervisor, said, “Over my years with the Piedmont Plus Senior Games/SilverArts, Jessie has become a dear friend. Every so often she makes time to come by and visit. It is during these special visits at which I learn what she is writing at the current time. She loves to share her passion for writing and I am excited to hear what she has in store for us next. She is a long-time SilverArts participant and we are excited to see her 2020 entries.”

Jessie would like to encourage seniors and others to write. She said, “We have things that have happened to us that we could tell about. I would like people to put their talents to use.”

Jessie, who will celebrate her 90th birthday in March, said, “Who would have thought that at my age I would have two books published?” Her advice to seniors: “Don’t sit on your talent – do it!”

Jesse Crocker’s latest book, “Encouraging Stories and Essays,” as well as her first book, “Expressions from the Heart,” are available on Amazon.com.

SilverArts accepts poems, short stories, essays and memoir that are blind-judged by members of Winston-Salem Writers. Entry forms are available at all recreation centers or by going to www.weplay.ws and clicking on the Seniors link.