On Aug. 16, 2018, the family of Mary Frances Gerard Jefferson lost their mother. She was the best Mother, Mother-in-law, Grandmother, Friend that God could possibly bless a family with. She was the spiritual leader of our family.

Mary Frances Gerard Jefferson loved God First, then her family. Both were the joy of her life.

Mary Frances was preceded by her husband, Roland Jefferson, on April 9, 2005. He was her first love. They were married on March 2, 1951.

Mary Frances had four children: Roland Paul Jefferson and wife, Sharon, of Virginia, George Wayne Jefferson and wife, Karen, of Washington; Christine Elaine Ange; and Michelle Gerard Michael.

Mary Frances left behind a special granddaughter, Victoria Jefferson Carrow, and husband, Thomas. She raised Victoria as her own. Also, she left behind six others as well: Brandon Paul Jefferson and fiancée, Jessica Price, Natasha Celestine Roberson and husband, Robb, Felisha Ann Good and husband, Chris, George Wayne Jefferson, Jr. and wife, Melissa, Tonya Jefferson Alligood and husband, Alan, and Regan Michael Burke and husband, Chris; great grandchildren that she adored numbered 12.

Mary Frances was preceded in death by one sister, Pearl Gerard Sheppard; also raised with her and was like her brother, John Goldston Gaskill.

Mary Frances’ parents were George Alexander Gerard and Mary Frances Gaskill Gerard.

Mary Frances was born on Oct. 12, 1930. She went to Washington High School. She worked at Pam’s Soda Shop while she went to school. Later, she worked at West End Supply with her father. She worked in tobacco with Hardy Edwards, Garland Windley and Carl Boyd. She became a detailed bookkeeper while working at Gurley Milling Company in Washington. She also for many years made wedding cakes. When she lived at Blounts Creek, she sold canned goods, cakes and meat in New Bern at the Curb Market.

Mary Frances had a great love for children. She was a Sunday School Teacher, Youth Group Leader, and Youth Choir Director at Elizabeth Chapel in Blounts Creek and Everett’s Church of Christ.

Mary Frances had a great love for crocheting and word search puzzle books. She loved to study her Sunday School lessons and read her Bible. Many people were blessed with gifts of blankets and ornaments crocheted by her.

A funeral service will be 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 19, 2018, at Everett’s Church of Christ, Pinetown. The family will receive friends from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday at the church and other times at the home of her son, George W. Jefferson, 20 Pocosin Road, Washington. Her burial place will be at the Jefferson Cemetery on Pocosin Road, Washington.

The following will serve as pallbearers: Johnny Gaskill, Johnny Gaskill III, Ron Bousquet, Keith Bousquet, Dean Lucas, Steven Vick, Horace Waters and Ernie Everett.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Everett’s Church of Christ Ladies Aide, 48 White Post Road, Pinetown, N.C. 27865.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com

Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington is honored to serve the Jefferson family.