Rev. Dr. Jesse B. Bilberry Jr. passed on Friday, October 7, 2022, at The Crossing at Clarity Hospice in Baton Rouge at the age of 93.

He was one of Farmerville, Louisiana's finest and the first child of 10 born to the late Reverend Jesse Sr. and Joe B. Bilberry. He was Pastor Emeritus at Mount Pilgrim Baptist Church after 35 years; before accepting his call to the Gospel Ministry in 1981 at "The Pilgrim" and in 1984 to serve God's people, he served as an ordained deacon, chairman of the finance committee, and an associate minister. He was a graduate of the following: Southern University and A&M in 1951 with a bachelor of arts degree, Louisiana State University in 1957 with a master of education degree; and Christian Bible College in 1988 with a master of theology and in 1990, he earned a doctorate of theology.

Public viewing and funeral services will be held at Mt. Pilgrim, 9700 Plank Road, in Baton Rouge.

• Public Viewing will be Sunday, October 16, from 4-6 pm with an "Honoring a Legacy Service" commencing at 6:00 pm with a Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Omega Service and concluding with community and church expressions

• Public Viewing at 8 a.m. and Religious Services at 10 a.m. Monday, October 17 in the Mount Pilgrim Family Life Center, "Celebration of a Servant Service" at 10:00 am conducted by Pastor Ronnie O. Blake and eulogized by one of his sons in the ministry, Roger C. Williams, Pastor, First Baptist Church of Glen Cove, New York; interment at Louisiana National Cemetery. Then a 2pm Interment at the Louisiana National Cemetery, 303 W. Mt. Pleasant Road, Zachary, LA. Miller and Daughter Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.  

Bilberry was a former Southern University administrator, member of the Southern University Board of Supervisors, and held membership in the National Baptist Convention, U.S.A., Inc., National Baptist Congress of Christian Education, Louisiana State Missionary Baptist State Convention(former Director of the Congress of Christian Education), East Baton Rouge Parish Ministers Conference, Fourth District Missionary Baptist Association and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity.