Marion Williams Jefferson

We are gathered here this morning to bear witness to our faith in the resurrection, the resurrection of all who are buried in Jesus Christ our Lord and the resurrection of Marion Williams Jefferson. Marion died on Tuesday after an eight month battle with ovarian cancer.  She was 79.

Marion was born in Danville, VA, the middle child of the three children of Wesley C. and Ila M. Williams.  Her father owned several local meat market and grocery stores.  Her mother was a homemaker who also kept the books on the family business.  After graduating from George Washington High School, Marion took nurses training at Danville Memorial hospital.

During her nurses training a sailor recently returned from the War spotted her walking down the street.  The sailor, also a local boy, asked some friends who she was.  When told she was Marion Williams, the sailor – Walter Jefferson – said “wow”! (or something like that) Being seven years her senior, he remembered her as the little kid sister of a friend of his.  Never being shy about girls, Walter followed her down the street.  At this point you expect me to say and the rest is history. Well, not quite. Marion’s mother was somewhat skeptical of this older, experienced Navy veteran.  So an extended period of closely supervised courtship followed.  By 1950 the mother relented, and Marion and Walter married and began a wonderful 57 year marriage together.

After getting married Walter and Marion settled in Arlington, VA, while Walter worked, first for the US Navy department, then in the art department of the Washington Dailey news.  Marion worked as a nurse for local physicians and they began their family, having two daughters, Tina and Debbie.

In 1953 the family moved to Richmond when Walter became the art director for Southern States cooperative.  The family settled in Ginter Park.  Marion continued her nurses training at J. Sargent Reynolds Community College and worked for two family practice physicians.

By the mid 1970’s, the girls had finished school, and Walter and Marion were ready for a change. They moved over to their home on Shoreham and settled into the Bon Air Community and joined Bon Air Presbyterian Church.  One of the friends Marion made in the church was the former Jean Sellars, who invited her to do volunteer work at the old Richmond Home for Ladies. This became a place of service and ministry for Marion, and a source of joy for her as well.  Marion helped bring a little sunshine into the lives of the residents.  She joined the Guild – then known as the Board of Lady Managers – and eventually served a term as President of the Guild.  She later served on the Board of Directors as well. When the Home moved to Mechanicsville and became Covenant Woods Retirement Community, Marion became deeply involved in the decorating and outfitting of the facility.  But throughout her service to Covenant Woods, her focus always remained on the residents, to whom Marion brought care and dignity and comfort.

Marion held her friends dear. She was devoted to her family.  Her grace and style and love remain her lasting gifts to her daughters and granddaughters.  She was a Southern lady in the best sense of the word. Holidays were times for festive family gatherings, dinners and table games.  No occasion, birthday, or stage of life event escaped her notice, and always resulted in a card and small, but sentimental gift.  Family traditions like weeks at the beach were precious to her.

Marion was known to be strict with her daughters, particularly during their teenage years. But typically she would say no – and then finally say, “Well, go ask your father”. Which was tantamount, of course, to saying yes.  Sunday mornings, however, were reserved for Church – no matter what time the previous evening ended.

Which brings us to Walter.  Marion and Walter shared one of those kinds of relationships that others envy.  Dinners were a time for long, after table conversation.  Scarcely a sharp word passed between them - although Walter bringing home a new car on a Saturday morning could evoke a less than pleased look.  Marion’s standing comment in jest was that Walter was incorrigible.  But it was only in jest. Their mutual devotion to one another always came first for both of them.

Marion and I enjoyed our own longstanding joke about her being computer challenged.  She was so proud the day she sent me her first email!  But that too, became a joke, as once Marion mastered the medium, she relished her email communication with family and friends.

Marion was a woman of deep faith, devotion to Christ, and commitment to her church.  Raised a Baptist, she raised her girls in Ginter Park United Methodist Church.  She joined Bon Air Presbyterian Church in 1981. Here she made close friends through Presbyterian Women and her circle, finding through the women’s organizations a community of sisters and an outlet for her service.  At last she was persuaded to serve on the Session of this church, as an ordained elder. She served her church and Session with distinction and humility.  Among her keepsakes was a bulletin with the notation, “The first day I served Holy Communion.”

Marion is survived by her beloved husband of 57 years, Walter Esmond Jefferson; daughters, Debra J. Joyce and husband, Carl Frank Joyce of New York;  Tina J. Richardson and William Hanky of Kitty Hawk, N.C.; two granddaughters, Kitchi Dawn Joyce of Atlanta, Georgia, and Kami Lynn Joyce of New York City; her sister, Lois W. Hughes of Roanoke, Virginia; and sister-in-law, Jacqueline D. Stansbury of Richmond. Her brother Wesley predeceased her. 

Having gathered for our mutual support and to hear the comfort of the Scriptures, let us worship God.

R. Charles Grant

Bon Air Presbyterian Church

Richmond, VA 

March 24, 2007