Obituary of Cedric Jessup Jr.

Cedric Benedict Jessup Jr. died on April 11, 2020 of complications from Covid-19. He passed away in the early morning hours, peacefully but alone. He was 80-years-old. Known as ‘Dicky’ to his family, Cedric was born to Washingtonian’s Cedric and Theresa Jessup on November 6, 1939. A beautiful child, beloved by his parents and siblings, he was diagnosed with cognitive disabilities and lived much of his life in a group home. His caregivers were among those who dearly loved him. Cedric’s lineage goes back to America’s founders. On his father’s side, he was a direct descendant of Thomas Jefferson and Edmund Randolph, as well as a Hemings family member, the best-documented enslaved family in American history. Cedric’s maternal grandfather was a renowned White House chef for presidents William Howard Taft and Woodrow Wilson. He is survived by siblings Janice Terry of Berlin, Germany; Patricia Woodlin-Jessup of Pasadena; Ca, Bruce Jessup of Silver Spring, Md; Gayle Jessup White of Richmond, Va; several nieces and nephews, and by his principal caregiver, Mary Lewis of Washington, D.C. You can still show your support by sending flowers directly to the family, or