Dr. Jess Usher passed away June 14th, 2021 after a vigilant battle with cancer. Dr. Usher was born December 7th, 1958 in Savanah, Georgia, and moved to Winston- Salem, North Carolina as a teenager. He attended Winston-Salem State University, and graduated with a Bachelor’s in History. He then continued his education at UNC- Greensboro and earned a Master’s in History and Ph.D. in American History History. After serving as a full-time instructor at Winston- Salem State University, and offering courses at Bennett College, he accepted a professorship at ABAC.
During his time at ABAC, Dr. Usher taught a variety of courses including United States History, History of Latin America, History of Africa, and Native American History. He was passionate about teaching and helping his students both in and out of the classroom.
Dr. Usher was an advocate and an activist for many pressing social issues and worked closely with many organizations around South Georgia. In his free time, he enjoyed fishing, golf, and spending time with his beloved dog, Weezie.
I first met Dr. Usher as a sophomore at ABAC. He was the first professor I had ever taken an upper-level course with, and I had no idea what to do. Dr. Usher took the time to show and explain to me how to be successful not only in his class but in everyday life.
Over the past three years, we had conversations about just about everything, and I learned something new or useful in every one of those conversations. I am grateful that I was one of Dr. Usher’s students, and will forever be thankful for the impact he made on my life. Although he is no longer with us, Dr. Usher’s legacy will never be forgotten.
A memorial service for Dr. Usher was held on June 25, 2021, in Matthews, North Carolina. Please consider a donation to the Jess Usher Memorial Fund at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Box 13, 2802 Moore Highway, Tifton, GA 31793, or at http://www.abac.edu/jessusher.
