Jessie was born near Azen, Scotland County, Missouri on January 28, 1872 to Henry Keck Rugh and Caroline Victoria (nee Terrell) of that place.

On December 22, 1901, in Scotland County, she married Gilbert B. Jones, son of George Misner Jones & Sallie (nee Sanford). Jessie and Gilbert spent much of their lifetime operating their family farm in Scotland County. They had children: Glenn, Marguerite, Lynn, Helen, Minnie, and Mae.

Jessie died at Ottumwa, Iowa on January 28, 1955. Gilbert died on May 17, 1960 in Bloomfield, Iowa.

They are both buried in the Providence Baptist Church Cemetery in Scotland County, Missouri.