The Missouri House of Representatives and the city of Mexico made a special presentation at the city’s regular meeting on Monday, Sept. 25, to honor former city employee Dolly Jesse.

Jesse retired last month after 45 years with the city working in the clerk’s office. Jesse started with the city while still in high school as a COE student in June 1977. A year later on July 1, 1978, she began her full-time career with the city as a utility billing clerk.

Over the years Jesse received several promotions and retired as the deputy city clerk and collector. Jesse was known for her volunteer work through the United Way and was named the Volunteer of the Year in 2013.

Rep. Kent Haden presented first and read through a proclamation from the House of Representatives. Haden said it was an honor to present the proclamation and made a light-hearted joke about how young Jesse looks for someone who’s spent 45 years working at City Hall.

“I get to do a lot of these but it’s really special when you have somebody that’s worked 45 years at the same job serving the citizens of Mexico,” Haden said. “You must have been, two?”

Following Haden’s presentation Mexico Mayor Vicki Briggs read a proclamation from the city thanking her for the 45 years of service.

“Most people do not stay in a job for 45 years,” Briggs said. “I think you deserve to have all of this read.”

During her time with the city, Jesse got married to Tim Jesse. The couple has been married for 36 years and has two daughters and five grandchildren.