Jessica Husser Troutman April 30, 1987-January 10, 2022

Jessica lived a life of plenty, by her own estimation and according to her own conviction. She was the best kind of friend, a grateful mother, an avid shopper, and a devoted, albeit high-maintenance, wife. Ever the party planner, Jessica was always entertaining, whether lifelong friends or someone she just met at the farmer's market. Her life's philosophy was a longer table, a bigger pot, and to pull up more chairs.

She had an extreme distaste for cheap wine, hypocrites, coupons, and leftovers. In turn, she loved Costco, orchids, cooking for her many friends, McCarty pottery, gigantic soup pots, The Caboose, the Creek, silk pajamas and creating art.

She spent her childhood in Franklinton, LA, with her much beloved grandfather Otto, grandmother Marcia, and mother Denise and brother Jason.  She was the firstborn twin. After attending Bowling Green and later, Southeastern, Jessica met and married the love of her life, Beck Troutman.  The two later moved back to Pike County, MS and welcomed the delights of their lives, Carter Otto and Mary Hannah. They made a home on the creek, where every living thing from turtles, cats, and dogs, to family, friends, misfits, and lost causes found a place to sit a minute.

Jessica completely enjoyed her life. From mother to wife to friend, she fiercely loved. When given an opportunity to serve, the answer was always a resounding YES: from teaching Sunday school, serving in the soup kitchen, and chairing the infamous Episcopal wine tasting to giving countless hours at Carter's school; if someone needed her, she was on her way. This drive even led her to Uganda to help establish a home for orphaned children, a mission most dear to her heart. If you knew Jessica, you have most certainly been "volun-TOLD" that you would be participating (possibly chairing) at such and such fundraiser.  Jessica knew how the world should be, and it was gracious and warm.

Walking through Jessica's home, a visitor encounters a series of stories. Bits of her children's art, along with her own, are displayed throughout--every memento, down to the quilt on her bed, imbued with meaning and significance.  When she wore jewelry, each piece had a story and a history and some intended purpose for the future. Knowing her time was short, she lived it intentionally. She had a great love of houseplants but was born without a green thumb. She was, however, born with a tenacious spirit to try again. Fight again. Go again. Plant again. Love again. Mary Hannah, the baby born miraculously in the midst of an unknown illness, is testament to that. Carter, who had the most charmed childhood of devoted planning and care, despite his mother progressively weakening and losing herself, is testament to that. The circle of friends who kept relentless vigil over her last weeks is testament to that. The love that lives on, because she spread it, testifies.

In her final days, Jessica asked that her obituary not be as much about her, but to serve as a charge and a challenge:  Be a true friend. Show up. Stand in solidarity. Be present. Drink the good wine.  Laugh at yourself. Shake your head and then make soup.

It was her hope for this obituary to bring a smile, perhaps even a laugh.  If she could bring everyone some soup from Heaven, you can bet she'd be on her way.  It would be turnip green soup, like only she could make, and it would be a balm to your broken hearts because you'd know, in a way only Jessica could let you know, that she was with you; faithful and loyal to the very last drop.  She'd want you to tell her children that, over and over again, that her love is faithful and loyal, all consuming, and eternal;  that she'd fight any fight for them; that she did fight with every breath; that they will find her again; and that she will be waiting, with all the comfort of restoration and consolation and endless, bright love. That will be delicious.

Until then, her memorial service will be on January 15, 2022 at 11:00AM, at Mediator Episcopal Church, McComb, MS. In lieu of sending flowers, the family asks that you contribute to the Robert Packard Center for ALS Research at Johns Hopkins because the fight isn't over.