Jessie Presley

[0349054]

Elvis' grandfather Jessie Presley died of a heart attack today March 19th 1973 in Louisville.

To be honest I know very little about the man, other than he left the family shortly after Elvis was born.

And also that he appeared on a TV show in the 50's as Elvis' grandfather not having talked to Elvis for a long long period of time.

Elvis didn't attend his funeral, but I did hear that Elvis visited him when he played Kentucky in the early 70's.

Anyone have any information on him, what did he do after he left Tupelo, did he keep in touch with Vernon? Did Vernon go to the funeral? Did he remarry?

[Lonniebealestreet]

A few years ago I e-mailed Marty Lacker to find out if he had any recollections of Elvis going to visit his grandfather while he was in Louisville in the 70s. He apparently asked Billy Smith about it and they couldn't remember such visits but didn't want to say it didn't happen.

Locally the word is that Elvis made several incognito appearances at various hangouts back in the fifties, but I haven't heard a lot of specifics.

Jessie Presley did remarry.

I talked to someone about 6 months ago whose father as an electrician did some work for the Jessie Presleys and befriended the couple, and only after a couple years did he find out about his famous grandson. And it only came up then because he was talking to them and they were going to his concert that night.

That's a little surprising to me--that Mr. Presley wouldn't have brought it up himself in early conversations with this guy--considering his TV appearance in the fifties, and recording a song or two calling himself Grandpappy Presley, or something to that effect.

The house he lived in and a car owned by him have both been sold in the last ten or twelve years, and if I recall correctly, Elvis' name was on the deed and the title. I don't remember the details on them though. The house is nothing special (other than the EP connection), I can tell you that, and isn't in the best area of town. Apparently there's an old lady on that street that I need to talk to, someone told my dad fairly recently.

[P.S. Annie]

Great thread, of course a grandfather, almost forgot about him :blush: Thanks for the info Bobby, love to hear more when you have contacted that lady (y)

[0349054]

Thanks Bobby.

I just wonder, does anyone have any pictures of Jessie Presley later on in his life? Did he have children when he remarried?

So EP bought him the house in Kentucky?

As fas as I know Jessie never visited Graceland.

I find it strange that Elvis didn't go to the funeral. He was after all his gradnfather. I know though that the whole family was very hurt by him. Still though I am amazed that Elvis bought him the house.

Make sure you talk to that lady Bobby!

Thanks for the info

[Leroy]

I also remember that Jessie attended an Elvis concert somewhere in November 1971.

[Captain Elwood David]

Some additional tidbits:

- Vernon, although he respected his father, .... held lingering resentment towards him for not bailing him out of jail when he was convicted for check forgery back in Tupelo (Jessie did bail out another person who was with Vernon, but not Vernon).

- Jessie kept an album of his grandson's early career (50's / Army Days / etc.), ......... & Elvis signed & inscribed the album to Jessie. The album was eventually sold @ auction to private collectors.

- Elvis was very generous to Jessie, especially early on in his career. Jessie also enjoyed the ride on his grandson's coat-tails in those early days.

- The Presley's took in Minnie Mae (Dodger) when Jessie left her / remarried; Dodger eventually outlived her grandson by 3 years & her son by 1 year.

- To the Presley's, family was family, no matter what. That said, ..... EP sometimes didn't want to have anything to do with others who were always coming around with their hand out ........ & either avoided them in such cases, let Vernon do the dirty work (ie: say "No"), or ........ kept it cordial (with occassional gifts / help). I think, for the most part, ..... Jessie fell into that last category.


- Capt. "EL."

[quinn53]

I have the video where Mr. Presley is on "I've Got A Secret"

[cameron]

A few years ago I e-mailed Marty Lacker to find out if he had any recollections of Elvis going to visit his grandfather while he was in Louisville in the 70s. He apparently asked Billy Smith about it and they couldn't remember such visits but didn't want to say it didn't happen.

Locally the word is that Elvis made several incognito appearances at various hangouts back in the fifties, but I haven't heard a lot of specifics.

Jessie Presley did remarry.

I talked to someone about 6 months ago whose father as an electrician did some work for the Jessie Presleys and befriended the couple, and only after a couple years did he find out about his famous grandson. And it only came up then because he was talking to them and they were going to his concert that night.
That's a little surprising to me--that Mr. Presley wouldn't have brought it up himself in early conversations with this guy--considering his TV appearance in the fifties, and recording a song or two calling himself Grandpappy Presley, or something to that effect.

The house he lived in and a car owned by him have both been sold in the last ten or twelve years, and if I recall correctly, Elvis' name was on the deed and the title. I don't remember the details on them though. The house is nothing special (other than the EP connection), I can tell you that, and isn't in the best area of town. Apparently there's an old lady on that street that I need to talk to, someone told my dad fairly recently.

I know this is an old thread, but found this interesting.
Southern families are very strange and "closed mouthed." :blink:
Did you ever talk to this lady, Lonnie?

[Donut]

According to Joseph Presley, Jessie´s bothers, Elvis visited his grandfather in 1956 and gave him a tv set, a car and 100 dollars.

[cameron]

According to Joseph Presley, Jessie´s bothers, Elvis visited his grandfather in 1956 and gave him a tv set, a car and 100 dollars.
Very odd. Of course, I lived with my grand parents.
Can't imagine not ever really knowing them .

[KPM]

Heres some info on Jesse and a picture of him singing in a Rockin chair:
http://www.elvispresleymusic.com.au/pictures/jesse_presley.html

[cameron]

Something I hadn't found yet . Thanks Ken !!(y)
I think I ran onto one of those songs and wondered who did it .

[utmom2008]

I know this is an old thread, but found this interesting.
Southern families are very strange and "closed mouthed." :blink:
Did you ever talk to this lady, Lonnie?

Yes they are Cameron. My Dad's Father(my grandfather) left his home here in Texas when my dad was about 6, and went back to Mississippi where they had come from originally. My dad never saw his father again, but did go to his funeral when he died. It seems that men who have been left fatherless either turn out one way or another when they become dad's themselves. Some make absent, non-caring fathers and others make outstanding fathers. My dad fell into the latter category.....he became a self-made man, and spent his entire life making sure that my mom,my 2 brothers and I had everything we ever wanted or needed. I'm sure I'm biased, but my father was one of the finest men I have ever had the privilege to know.

[cameron]

Yes they are Cameron. My Dad's Father(my grandfather) left his home here in Texas when my dad was about 6, and went back to Mississippi where they had come from originally. My dad never saw his father again, but did go to his funeral when he died. It seems that men who have been left fatherless either turn out one way or another when they become dad's themselves. Some make absent, non-caring fathers and others make outstanding fathers. My dad fell into the latter category.....he became a self-made man, and spent his entire life making sure that my mom,my 2 brothers and I had everything we ever wanted or needed. I'm sure I'm biased, but my father was one of the finest men I have ever had the privilege to know.

One of my grandmothers was from Texas . She married my grandfather and they moved to Missouri. I knew a few of my grandmothers relatives from Texas, but heard very little about my grandfathers side.
I never thought about it as a kid, but have since wondered why ?
Maybe it was just the era they were raised in?
You were very forunate in having such a father . So many don't .

BTW: We went to Teaxs once when I was a kid. They had huge flying insects scared me to death .:'(

[utmom2008]

One of my grandmothers was from Texas . She married my grandfather and they moved to Missouri. I knew a few of my grandmothers relatives from Texas, but heard very little about my grandfathers side.
I never thought about it as a kid, but have since wondered why ?
Maybe it was just the era they were raised in?
You were very forunate in having such a father . So many don't .

BTW: We went to Teaxs once when I was a kid. They had huge flying insects scared me to death .:'(

I think it must have been the era, becuase you hear so many stories that are so similiar in nature. And no one ever seemed to question their relatives decisions, they just accepted it and moved on. Nowdays...if someone makes a tiny decision over nothing at all, then everybody in the family wants to seek counseling over it.:P

Yes...I know I was extremely fortunate. And not a day goes by that I don't miss Daddy.:sad:

Well....you know everything in Texas is bigger.....:lol:

[cameron]

In history, people left at a certain age and never saw any of their family again. I always thought that would have been too sad.
I was always close to my children [though I've threatened to move to Hawaii and never come back ;) }

I've since been back to Texas, but I like the ocean best. (y)

[utmom2008]

I've since been back to Texas, but I like the ocean best. (y)

You would get along well with my hubs and my daughter. My son and I want a summer home in Colorado. Maaybe if we win the Powerball or something like that..we can all be happy.:P

[cameron]

My dad lived in Colorado. It's very beautiful, but it's the ocean for me.
It's just more peaceful there --at least to me.
{ I'm not sure how I got stuck here in the middle of the US. } :blink:
There's always that longing for the ocean. Oh well--
maybe next time around. ;)

[KPM]

You would get along well with my hubs and my daughter. My son and I want a summer home in Colorado. Maaybe if we win the Powerball or something like that..we can all be happy.:POne of the many moves I made as a kid was to Aurora, Colorado. Lived there about a year and a half. It was beautiful country and if I had been older and had been born and had grown up there- I probably would have loved it. We went to Pikes Peak in the Rockies and it was truely an experience to look out over the mountains.

[Tony Trout]

I also remember that Jessie attended an Elvis concert somewhere in November 1971.


Leroy,

I believe the concert that Jessie attended was in Louisville, KY on November 5, 1971.