John Edward Wesley

John Edward Wesley was born in Russellville, Arkansas, on October 29, 1950, to Eddie and Sibyl Wesley. He attended St. John’s Catholic School followed by public school in Russellville. John completed his education at Arkansas Tech University in his hometown where he earned a degree in Business Administration. After college, he entered into full-time employment with Entergy. He moved up in the company until reaching the position of Accounts Servicing Manager. After forty-seven years with Entergy as a faithful and valued employee, he retired from the company. In his leisure hours, John was an avid golfer and played on courses all over the country, as his travels for work afforded him the opportunity to do so. John was also a voracious reader, especially being one who fancied western fiction, and was a fan of television westerns. During his career with Entergy, John lived in several cities in Arkansas, then a short stay in Louisiana, before settling in Mississippi. John made friends everywhere he lived and worked. It is important to highlight John’s faithfulness to church attendance and corporate worship during his life. In his closing years, his faith only deepened and his devotion to his Lord and Savior grew in response to the Gospel. John was a good and loving husband to his wife, Susie, of twenty-eight years. John and Susie lived in Madison County for twenty-five years before moving to Ellisville, Mississippi, in 2023. Shortly after, John and Susie became members of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Laurel, MS. After a fall in his yard and hip surgery, John had ongoing medical problems which culminated in his death on May 10, 2026, at Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg. This date was significant because it coincided with the observance of Mother’s Day and John was very close to his dear mother as an only child. Her life had been lived out at her home in Arkansas. During John’s later years, he became quite the storyteller and loved recounting his boyhood years and early life in rural Arkansas’ farming community. He had many adventures and misadventures to tell about involving cousins, other family members, and friends. His memories were sweet ones of a life well lived. John is survived by his devoted wife Susie; three children, David (wife Hannah), Chance (wife Cassidy), and Amy; six grandchildren, Hunter and Heath Hayes, and Ava, Eleanor, Mary, and James Wesley; and great-grandchildren Halsyn, Wrenlee, and Wyatt Hayes. He also leaves a host of cousins, nieces, and nephews. Susie would add, “I will forever be grateful to my husband for his love, devotion, and support as we cared for our ailing parents in their last years.” Services will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Laurel at 2:00 p.m. Rev. Mike Allen will officiate. To view or sign the online guest book, visit www.memorychapellaurel.com. In lieu of flowers, gifts to St. Jude Childrens’ Hospital would be appreciated.

John Edward Wesley

October 29, 1950 - May 10, 2026