Violet Jefferson

Obituary Violet Dudley Jefferson, 85, of Beaufort, died Thursday, September 17, 2015, at Wake Med Hospital in Raleigh due to stroke. Family visitation is scheduled for 5:00 7:00 pm on Sunday, 20 September 2015, at Brooks Funeral Home and Crematory in Morehead City. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, 21 September 2015 at Ann Street United Methodist Church in Beaufort, NC followed immediately by graveside services at St. Pauls Episcopal Church also in Beaufort. Violet was born on 10 March 1930 in Beaufort to Cecil and Henrietta Dudley. She grew up one of nine children. Her first job was working at Holden Ballous caf in Beaufort where she met Holdens brother-in-law and her husband-to-be, Ottis Jefferson. They were married on 28 August 1955. After the wedding, he entered the Air Force and they lived for a while in Reno, Nevada where she worked both at the on-base laundry and at the local casinos making change. Eventually they returned to Beaufort, where she became a homemaker. Later in life, she would work as a clerk at Jenkins Gas Company in Beaufort. Shortly after the death of her husband, Violet came to stay with her sons family in Cary, where she got to have her own in-law apartment and the ability to have as much independence as possible through the last years of her life. She was the adopted grandmother for her daughter-in-laws sisters family, Damon and Kara Cussen and their sons Asher and Gideon. Violet experienced being able to see her grandchildren every day and spoil them with numerous sleep overs. She also got to appreciate the love of the family dogs, Maggie Moo and Gypsy, who she enjoyed watching play outside and throwing the ball for while sitting on the deck. Violets interests included gardening, reading, crosswords, horror movies that her daughter-in-law was too scared to watch with her, and spending time with family. She was a member of Ann Street United Methodist Church for over thirty years and a member of Beaufort Chapter No. 128 Order of the Eastern Star. She was a Past Worthy Matron and served on many committees through the years as well as being installing Marshall on many occasions. Violet was also a supporter of the Shriners and was a member of the Shrinettes. Violet is survived by her son Richard R. Jefferson and his wife Laura, her grandchildren Olivia R. Jefferson and Malcolm Jefferson of Cary, NC, her siblings Brother-in-Law Asa Buck Sr., Anne-Bell Schwark and husband Robert, Daphne Wood and husband Richard, Harold Dudley and wife Nancy, and Barbara Griffin and husband Sherman (Butch), along with numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Cecil and Henrietta Dudley, her husband, Ottis R. Jefferson, Sr., her siblings Edna Dudley, Ethel Buck, Shirley Willis, and James Curtis Dudley, and her brother- and sister-in-laws Holden and Dora Dean Ballou. Thank you to all the friends and family who offered their support and words of kindness over the past week. Special thanks to the staff of WakeMed Raleigh and Transitions Life Care (Hospice) who made sure Violets final days were comfortable and dignified. Our appreciation also goes to the Total Life Center at Kirk of Kildare who provided a place for Violet to visit with and make friends with other seniors in a new area along with Lee-Anna Parks, Jackie Allred, and Katie Sessoms who helped provide in-home care and additional company and companionship. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to one of her favorite local historic organizations, The Core Sound Waterfowl Museum and Heritage Center, 1785 Island Road, Harkers Island, NC 28531, 252-728-1500. Arrangements are by Brooks Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. of Morehead City and they may be contacted with any questions regarding services. Visitation Sunday September 20, 2015 , 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Brooks Funeral Home Funeral Service Monday September 21, 2015 , 11:00 a.m. at Ann Street United Methodist Church Interment will follow service at St. Paul's Cemetery 1-888-579-7953 Code: 2002089P Facts Born: March 10, 1930 Place of Birth: Beaufort, NC Death: September 17, 2015 Place of Death: Raleigh, NC Memorial Donations Memorial donations can be made to: The Core Sound Waterfowl Museum and Heritage Center, 1785 Island Road, Harkers Island, NC 28531. Services You can still show your support by sending flowers directly to the family, or by planting a memorial tree in the memory of Violet Jefferson