HOLLY GROVE -- Jennie Viola Jefferies Vinson, 84, of Holly Grove died Oct. 17, 2009. She was born to A.T. and Laura McCullough Jefferies Jan. 17, 1925 in Blackton. She confessed a hope in Christ in Aug. 1937 under the leadership of the Rev. George Mullion and joined the Philadelphia Baptist Church in Clarendon. She was educated in the public schools of Holly Grove. She met and married Dan Vinson Sr. in May of 1944. To this union eight children were born. Later she met Elijah "Cricket" Earnest and four children were born.
She moved to Holly Grove in 1958 where she joined the First Baptist Church under the leadership of the Rev. J .H. Hinkle. She was very active in her church and community serving as senior choir president, Program Committee chairperson, Missions Ministry teacher, the Black History Committee, PTA and the Mid-Delta Senior Club.
She was preceded in death by a son, Lawrence.
Survivors are 11 children, Evelyn, Alvin and wife, Joyce, Eddie and wife, Ida, Dan Jr., Faye, Glen and wife, Connie, Limual and wife, Pamela, Kenneth, Stanley, Sharon and Reginald and wife, Vicky; 50 grandchildren, 57 great-grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
She loved her children dearly and affectionately referred to them as the "Dirty Dozen." She had a nickname for all of her children, most of the grandchildren and the great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, at McNeal-Calahan Funeral Home in Brinkley and 9:30 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. preceding the funeral services, which will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, at First Baptist Church in Holly Grove with the Rev. Fred Abram officiating.
Burial will be in Shady Grove Cemetery at Clarendon by McNeal-Calahan Funeral Home of Brinkley. Pallbearers are Tabaris Earnest, Tataris Earnest, Jared Vinson, Antwain Glasco, Dexter Houston, Ray Bernard Wiley, Monte Vinson and Danny Earl Vinson.
