Mary Jefferson

Mary Evelyn Jefferson, of 1111 Main Street #502, Danville, VA, died at her home on December 5th, 2017.  She was born in Danville and was the daughter of the late William Hundley Jefferson, Sr., and Alice Gunn Jefferson.  She was a graduate of George Washington High School (Chatterbox editor and Salutatorian), Stratford College (Secretarial Science), University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (A.B. in English, M.S. in Library Science) and University of Virginia (M.A. in English).  She was a member of Iota Rho Iota Sigma (Stratford) and Phi Beta Kappa (UNC).               Following a short career as a banker in Danville and Roanoke, Ms. Jefferson was employed for seventeen years at Stratford College, where she served as an Assistant Professor of English and later as Associate Professor of English and Associate Librarian.  She then taught English for two years at Danville Community College before becoming Assistant Librarian and Associate Professor at Averett College, a position she held for eleven years until her retirement in 1987.  She was an active, lifetime member of Mount Vernon United Methodist Church.  She was a volunteer at the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History, and a member of The Shakespeare Club and The Wednesday Club.             Ms. Jefferson is survived by her by her sister-in-law, Nell Hamlin Jefferson, her niece, Nell Jefferson Fredericksen (Todd) and their children, Neil and Lily; three nephews, William H. Jefferson, III, Richard G. Jefferson (Terri) and their children, Griffin and Bailey, and James H. Jefferson.  In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her sister Elizabeth (Betty) Wilson Jefferson, two brothers, Richard Garland Jefferson and William H. Jefferson, Jr.                A memorial service will be held at Townes Memorial Chapel at 2pm on Saturday, December 16th. The family will receive friends following the service. It is suggested that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to The Community Foundation, for the Elizabeth (Betty) W. Jefferson Fund, founded by Mary Evelyn Jefferson in memory of her sister, or to a charity of choice.              Townes Funeral Home, 215 West Main Street, is serving the Jefferson family. Online condolences can be made at www.townesfuneral.com