- Date Of Birth: June 29, 1940
- Date Of Death: March 4, 2019
- State: North Carolina
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course,
I have kept the faith…” (2nd Timothy 4:7)
Etta Mae Jeffries was born June 29, 1940 in Alamance County, NC to the late Joy
Tinnin Jeffries and Daniel Arch Jeffries. She was the youngest of eight children.
Etta departed this life on March 4, 2019 at UNC Hospital, after having endured
many years of health complications, with strength and tolerance.
Etta was educated in the Alamance County Public School System and graduated
from Graham High School. As a child, she joined Oak Grove Missionary Baptist
Church, where she attended regularly.
In 1961, Alphonzo Womble saw and noticed Etta, but he decided not to approach
her. He learned where her brother lived, and stopped by one day when he saw
her in the yard. They conversed for a long time, and upon leaving, he told her,
“I’ll see you later.” She asked “When?” but he didn’t reply. One day he stopped
by Oak Grove Church, and saw her again, this time he asked her out on a date.
Two years later, they were married on July 14, 1963.
Four years into their marriage they were blessed with their only child, Michael
Lynn Womble. Etta always adored babies and Michael was her pride and joy. If
a baby were nearby, she would reach to hold it. Her love for babies also resulted
in her having three God-Children; Delicia Gilliam, LaToya Tysor and Nakia Scott.
There were many other children who held a special place in her heart and blessed
her life. She loved her family and when Michael and his wife were blessed with
three sons, her world was made brighter. She adored her grandsons and they
were the joy of her life.
When Etta married and moved from Alamance County, she joined Centennial
AME Zion Church. She loved the Church, her church family, and she worked
faithfully until her health began to fail. She was President of the Women’s Home
and Overseas Missionary Society (WHOMS), served as an usher, and chaired the
Kitchen Committee, for many years. She loved serving the church in
these capacities.
Etta enjoyed watching wrestling, televangelists, and attending singing programs.
She would travel far and near to hear quartet groups, and attend choir
anniversaries. She would stand to her feet, clap and praise the Lord, throughout
her.
Etta was preceded in death by her parents, one sister, Dorothy Mae Patterson; six
brothers, Javan, Troy, Hoyett, Verley, Voylee and David Adell Jeffries.
She leaves to cherish her memory, her devoted husband, Alphonzo (Funny)
Womble; son, Michael (Amanda) of Charleston, SC; three grandchildren, Azel
Micah, Adam Michael and Avery Matthias, of Charleston; one sister-in-law, Annie
(Nan) Womble, of High Falls, NC; a devoted niece, Dorothy Ellerbee; and many
other loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
You Meant So Much
Dear Etta Mae,
You stood up unlike you’ve done in a long time to walk
back with the nurse. You had a smile on your face and you
seemed so happy. You turned to me and said “Funny, hold
this til I come back.”
You never came back to me, but just as I told you so many
years ago the first day I talked to you, “I’ll see you later.”
Your Loving Husband,
Funny
Family being served by Knotts and Son, Siler City
Service Program