Virginia Jefferson

Virginia Emma Jefferson, 99, passed away on January 24th, 2016, in Marshalltown, Iowa. Virginia was born on May 10th, 1916, at New Providence, Iowa, the daughter of Henry and Ida Lehman Mersman. She grew up in the central Iowa communities of New Providence, Colo and Hubbard, plus a few years in her youth at Carthage, Missouri. She graduated from high school in Colo, Iowa. In 1934, she married Lewis W. Jefferson from Brushyknob, Missouri at the parsonage in Colo, Iowa. Virginia and Lewis resided in several communities including the Davenport, Iowa area; Compton, California, rural Hubbard, Iowa, St. Anthony and Clemons, Iowa; Owasa and Nevada, Iowa before moving to Mansfield, Missouri for three years upon retirement they moved to Marshalltown, Iowa with a later move to Macomb, Illinois and returned to Marshalltown in 1987 where they lived on Roberts Terrace for many years. Her husband, Lewis Jefferson and a son, Dale Jefferson (Mary Snyder) precedes her in death. Her husband, Lewis passed away in 2002. Four brothers preceded her in death. She is survived by a son Dr. Robert Jefferson (Sally Wallace) of Bloomington, Illinois. Additional survivors include 5 grandchildren; Diane Jefferson Gilbert, Karen Jefferson Kelso, Dr. Kurt Jefferson; Carol Jefferson Huber and David Jefferson; 9 great grandchildren-Molly and Riley Huber; Jeffery and Jason Gilbert; Kelly, Megan and Nicole Jefferson; Jenna and Jill kelso. Three great-great grandchildren survive-Aden, Oliver, and Devyn Gilbert. Virginia enjoyed all of her children and grandchildren and live on the farm. Friends and neighbors were special to her as well as the Liberty Friends Church and First Baptist Church of Marshalltown, Iowa. Her years at the Embers Retirement Facility enabled her to make new friends in her later years. She particularly enjoyed the musical groups and speakers at the Embers. During parts of her life, she served as as Deaconess of the First Baptist Church and was a volunteer at the Marshalltown Hospital. Most of all, she enjoyed her roles as a wife and mother and considered these a special privilege given by God. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Iowa River Hospice or a charity of the donors choice. A family visitation (1:30 pm on Tuesday, January 26th) and a celebration of life service (2:30) will be held at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown, Iowa. Internment to follow at the Rose Hill Memorial Gardens.