Jesse Staton, Jr. “Priest,” 91, of Hamden, entered eternal rest on January 26, 2021. He was the widower of Angela Barnhill Staton.

Mr. Staton was born July 4, 1929 in Oak City, NC, a son of the late Jesse Columbus Staton, Sr. and Emma Louisa Hyman-Staton.

He was employed as a Bus Driver by New Haven Bus Service / Yale-New Haven Shuttle Service from 1976 until 2016 and was also employed at Seamless Rubber Company for 15 years as a Machinist.

Jesse lived a full life, he was a wonderful father and provider. His work ethic and sacrifice was exceptional, maintaining two jobs for over forty years to ensure a better life for his family.

As a bus driver he truly enjoyed traveling long distance and meeting new people. Jesse was friendly, generous, outspoken and a loyal friend to many.  He will be dearly missed and forever in our hearts

He leaves to cherish loving memories, his children, Malika Shariff and her husband Robert Forman of New Haven, CT, Jesse Bernell Staton and Karen Delois Gardner both of Hamden, CT and Vanessa Lewis and her husband Mark of Windsor, CT; five grandchildren, Phillip Gordon Smith, Terrance Gardner, Dr. Mark Anthony Lewis, Jr., Jordan Tyler Lewis and Zachary Collin Lewis; three great grandchildren, Devonte Malik Smith, Mark Anthony Lewis III and Jesse Wayne Lewis; sisters, Hilda Odessa Staton of New Haven, CT, Addie Lee Council of Newark, NJ, Sylvia Sherrod of East Orange, NJ, Alice Jones of Richmond, VA, Cynthia Maxine James and her husband Henry of New Haven, CT; nieces, Phyllis Shaw of Raeford, NC and Sharon Locke of New Haven, CT; a nephew, Andreus Lock of Wallingford, CT; and other relatives and friends.

Mr. Staton was predeceased by a son, Phillip Highsmith; and siblings, Evelyn McCray, Audrey Williams, Tina “Margie” Stokes, Joseph Staton, Emma Gray Jackson and Raymond Staton.

A Graveside service to celebrate Mr. Staton’s life and legacy will be held Wednesday, February 3, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at Evergreen Cemetery, 769 Ella Grasso Blvd., New Haven.