Fannie Williams Jefferson

Fannie Jefferson Obituary

Mrs. Fannie Williams Jefferson, of Petersburg, Va., widow of Robert M. Jefferson, departed this life on Sunday, Aug. 2, 2009, at The Ashland Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Ashland, Va.

She was born March 21, 1905. She was a long-time and the oldest member of Gillfield Baptist Church, Petersburg, Va.

Mrs. Jefferson was a retired elementary school teacher. She taught in the counties of Stafford, Sussex, Dinwiddie and retired from the Surry County School System in 1960.

Mrs. Jefferson is survived by nieces, Geraldine (Gerri) McCoy Anderson (Clyde) of Ashland, Va., Helen Butler of LaPlata, Md., Irma Harris Smith of Martinsville, Va., Charlene Harris Chambers (Courtney) of Salem, Va., and Irene Harris Washington of Baltimore; nephew, Melvin R. McCoy Jr. (Shirley) of Vienna, Va.; stepchildren, Arlean Spicely, Morris Jefferson (Doris), Harold Jefferson and Herman Jefferson (Lenora), and stepdaughter-in-law, Ruth M. Jefferson, all of Petersburg, Va.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 7, 2009, at the Gillfield Baptist Church Memorial Chapel, 209 Perry St., Petersburg, Va.; the Rev. Dr. George W.C. Lyons Jr., pastor, officiating. Interment to follow at Dinwiddie Memorial Park.

The family may be contacted by calling (804) 798-8475.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Gillfield Baptist Church Organ Fund or the charity your choice.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to the staff of the J.M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment Inc., 102 South Ave., Petersburg, Va., (804) 732-8911, www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Progress-Index from Aug. 4 to Aug. 5, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Fannie Jefferson

2 Entries

Phyllis Chesley

August 11, 2009

A Thank You to Aunt Fannie, a great lady and one of a kind!

Joanne Chesley

August 9, 2009

A tribute to Mrs. Fannie Jefferson

We knew her as Miss Fannie, Aunt Fannie, Boone, and Mrs. Jefferson. She was born in 1905 when there were still only 45 states and Teddy Roosevelt was our President. The White Sox beat the Cubs in the 3rd World Series and the city of San Francisco was nearly destroyed by a massive earthquake. Who knew on March 21st, that a little baby named Fannie would grow into a woman whose influence would be felt for more than a century? Born to Henry Wise Williams and Mary Catherin Ruffin Williams in Petersburg Virginia, Aunt Fannie was one of 7 children and would grow up to be an educator. But even before answering that calling, she learned the meaning of hard work.
She churned butter made from the Holstein cow her dad owned, she cut the front lawn at the family home on Mercury street with a pair of scissors, when her dad could not afford a lawn mower. She fed the chickens, helped her mother do laundry for paying customers, and took orders for salad greens from the family garden, She delivered the orders when she came in from school each day. She cut wood and was the only girl in the bunch who would climb up high in the apple trees to shake the apples down where her ‘more girly’ sisters could collect them.

Aunt Fannie apparently learned to be the meticulous woman we knew her to be—perfect nails and hair at all times. I recall her commenting on her dad using natural fertilizer on his crops so there would be no chemicals in the family’s food. When my sisters and I were young and traveled to Petersburg from La Plata MD, Aunt Fannie never failed to inspect what she expected---a tub scrubbed with Ajax after every shower or bath, dishes washed the right way --glasses first, pots last ---placed in the cabinet exactly the way she wanted, and finally inspecting our compliance with the rationed squares of toilet paper, neatly folded on the edge of the bathtub. (You had to be there to appreciate that!)
Aunt Fannie subscribed to a few routines and rituals that probably contributed to her long life. She always had potatoes and fish for breakfast, and always poured her coffee such that it would overflow the cup into the saucer---which we never really understood. She loved pound cake and 7up and if you brought back Sprite she would let you know that she asked for 7UP! Weather permitting, she sat outside everyday to get some sunshine---you know the vitamin D, and went to bed on schedule because early to bed early to rise makes a girl healthy wealth and wise. She had a certain day for shopping---I think Wednesdays when she would take all of the clipped coupons and get the bus around 10am going to Standard Drug Store on Sycamore Street. She watched the Reverend Billy Graham, shall I say, religiously, loved Bob Barker and the Price is Right, listened to Paul Harvey and remained a faithful member of Gillfield Baptist Church right up to the end.
Mrs Jefferson was the official Queen of Catalogs. She was the world’s best armchair shopper and was insulted if you did not take the set of catalogs which she had reserved, bundled and tied –just up for you!
Aunt Fannie attended Virginia State College and did her practice teaching in Stafford County. She moved to Surry County in 1936 where she made $40 per month as a newly licensed teacher. She was a most dedicated professional, never letting bad weather stop her from walking to her school. Upon arriving there, she made a fire in the classroom stove so that her students would be comfortable. At lunch time she and a few students would cut and gather wood for the next day’s class. Aunt Fannie taught all elementary grades and became a school principal. She taught for nearly 30 years. As with all dedicated teachers, Mrs Jefferson also took on added responsibilities such as fighting for school bus integration by appearing in Surry County District court.
Aunt Fannie was a single woman for many years since schools did not want to hire married women as teachers. However, when she did find the man of her dreams, her soulmate, Mr. Robert Jefferson, she wrote a letter to the school authorities letting them know that she would be resigning to get married. Her request was approved and she enjoyed many wonderful years with Uncle Bob.
Last Saturday when we visited Aunt Fannie around 12:45, she looked beautiful! Her hair was pulled back smoothly, her skin looked vibrant and healthy, and her eyes seemed to sparkle as she spoke, “How’s everybody?” And then just before we left her she said several times, “No more potatoes” The doctor said “No more Potatoes.” So Aunt Fannie, you said on many occasions that you were ready to go to heaven. Your life has been a magnificent blessing to so many who were fortunate enough to be influenced by you and to love you.
We’ll miss you, but now you can have all of the potatoes and potato soup that you want, for in heaven there is plenty of all that is good!
I Love You, Aunt Fannie!
Joanne

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