Mary Lee (Morrow) Jeffries

Mary Lee Morrow Jeffries was born on May 5, 1928 in Alamance County, North Carolina. After the onset of breast cancer and the loss of her beloved twin sister, Mary maintained a stable healthy life for five years at Alamance House, Burlington and Guilford House, Greensboro, North Carolina.  She experienced a decline in health transitioning from this earthly life on Friday, May 28, 2021.  

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, the late Jesse Samuel Morrow and Fannie Lee Alston Morrow; her spouse, Lonnie Jeffries; her brother, Jesse Samuel Morrow Jr; sister, Nellie Mae Morrow; twin sister, Martha Lee Morrow Wade; and three sisters-in-law, Willie A. Everette Morrow, Oserine Gant Morrow, Sallye Lovelace Morrow. 

Mary was a graduate of the Historic Graham High School (1931-1961), class of 1945; leaving only one known surviving member of the class, Bonnie Ratliff Parish.  

After high school Mary and her twin sister Martha graduated from the Apex College of Beauty, Atlantic City, New Jersey.  This was one of the country’s oldest and most successful Black institutions of beauty technology.

It seems that Mary practiced as a cosmetologist for a few years, but as employment opportunities expanded, she worked at Supreme Dry Cleaners and retired from Kayser Roth Hosiery, Inc. She also worked at other mills and Wal-Mart.

Mary and the late Lonnie Jeffries were married in a double wedding ceremony with her sister Martha and Willie King Wade on September 29, 1957 at Children’s Chapel United Church of Christ. Mary was an active and faithful member of the Church since early childhood. She served in many positions, especially Missionary Circle, Senior Choir, Usher Board, Financial Secretary and was a central voice in the Sunday School. 

Mary served her community in many areas, e.g. volunteering at shelters and election sites.  In her leisure time she also enjoyed morning walks, shopping, eating out at seafood restaurants and trips out of town always with her sister Martha.

She leaves a loving and precious legacy to her son Carlton Rene Jeffries, Radcliff, Kentucky; daughter-in-law, Felicia Grace Jeffries; three grandchildren: Zachary Aaron Jeffries, Hannah Lee Jeffries (Andrew Summers) of St Louis, Missouri, Vivian Rose Jeffries; one great grandchild, Aria Jane Jeffries; and one brother, Clinton Dewitt Morrow of Graham, North Carolina.

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