Mary Jefferson Brown

Catherine Mary Louise Jefferson Brown, age 89 of Wirtz passed away on Sunday, January 16, 2022 peacefully. She retired from Franklin County Schools with 30+ years of service as a school bus driver and cafeteria worker at Dudley Elementary School where she was fondly known as "Ms. Mary". Mary was a hard worker and loved her family and grandchildren.

Mary was born at her parent's home in Franklin County on June 28, 1932, a daughter of the late Grover Cleveland and Elizabeth Altice Jefferson. She was also preceded in death by her six sisters including an infant sister, Mae Via, Ella Cannaday, Gertrude Jones, Pat Chitwood, and Viola Reiley; four brothers, Victor, Edward, Raymond and Claude Jefferson.

Mary is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Phyllis and Marshall Whitehead; and her son and daughter-in-law, Joey and Betsy Brown; three grandchildren, Jonathan Daniel, Mary Catherine Brown and Elizabeth Brown; four step-grandchildren, Nina Williams, Brooke McNeil, Evan and Tyler Dishner; two great-grandchildren, Graham and Addison McNeil; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and other family members.

Funeral services will be held Friday, January 21, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. at Flora Funeral Chapel with a visitation beginning at 12:00 noon prior to the services. Interment will be private in the Jefferson Family Cemetery.

Arrangements by Flora Funeral Service and Cremation Center, Rocky Mount.