HULL, JESSIE (JESSE) REDDING (27 July 1932-20 Dec. 1992), author and speech therapist, wrote and published books for CHILDREN AND YOUTH and learning-disabled adults, as well as poetry. Skilled in early American crafts, she also served the BAY VILLAGE HISTORICAL SOCIETY as secretary-treasurer and as guide at the Rose Hill Museum. In the 1980s she demonstrated weaving at festivals statewide. Hull was born in Urbana, OH, to William and Ethel Botkin Redding, and educated at Ohio Wesleyan University (B.A. 1954) and the University of Missouri (A.M. 1956). She later earned teaching certification for learning disabilities at CLEVELAND STATE UNIVERSITY (1975-76). Hull worked as speech therapist in the Affton, MO, public schools (1956-59) and as supervisor of a speech clinic in Alabama before coming to Cleveland. She began publishing books in 1980, with 7 titles appearing that year and 1 the next, from New Readers Press and Bowmar/Noble. She also served as business manager for Bob Hull Books. Hull's articles on nature and pets appeared in magazines such as Pets and People of the World. She also was a puppeteer.
On 27 June 1959, Hull married writer Robert C. Hull; they lived with children Robert W. and Lisa Kay in BAY VILLAGE. She belonged to the Bay Village Presbyterian Church. Hull is buried in Lakewood Park Cemetery.