Mary Magdalene DeJarnette Morefield

Obituary For Mary Magdalene DeJarnette Morefield

VIEWING: Friday, May 16, 2025/ Time: 12:30 PM - 5:00 PM

SERVICE: Saturday, May 17, 2025/ Time: 1:00 PM at Lombardy Grove Baptist Church, 5230 Goodes Ferry Road, South Hill, VA 23970/ Rev. James Moore, Pastor & Presiding/ Rev. Dr. Willie Elder, Eulogist

INTERMENT: Church Cemetery

“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

A Time to Be Born

Mary Magdalene DeJarnette Morefield, beloved daughter of the late Johnnie DeJarnette and the late Iola DeJarnette Town, was born March 26, 1938, in Halifax County, South Boston, VA. She was also reared by her stepfather, the late James Town. Also preceded her in death were her siblings- Ida Kersey, Helen Elder, Maggie Washington, Charles Town, John Lewis and James DeJarnette.

A Time to Learn and Leisure

Mary received her early education in the Mecklenburg County School System. At an early age she was baptized and joined Lombardy Grove Baptist Church, South Hill, VA.

In 1957, Mary married the late Robert Morefield. She was a devoted, loving, kind, and faithful wife, sister, aunt and friend. Her love and joy were her family, although she had no children. She was a foster mother to all her nieces, nephews, Henry Lee Davis, and others, rather they were related or not.

In 1966, Mary relocated to Newark, NJ. In 1967, Mary found employment at the Glenside Nursing Center as a Supervisor in New Providence, NJ. She was a dedicated employee and made a difference to the residents everyday she was there. In 1997, Mary retired after 37 years of service.

Mary united with the First Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church, Newark, NJ under the leadership of Reverend Dellroger Dunmore. She was an active member and she loved the Gospel. She loved herself some Jimmy Swaggart and knew every song they sang.

Mary was known for her hospitality, straight forwardness, and quick wit. She adored cooking and didn’t measure any ingredients. Her favorite dishes were: potato salad, sweet potato pies, hog head cheese, pig feet, salty herring fish, beans, and pound cake, just to name a few. Mary also cooked wild game, rabbit and goat. She made all this food for herself.

She loved to watch TV, her shows were: I Love Lucy; Westerns, Good Time, Dennis the Menace, and Sanford and Sons. She also had a green thumb for houseplants.

Mary later became ill and was admitted to Cornell Hall Nursing Center, Union, NJ. She remained there until 2019 and then she relocated to South Hill, VA. In October 2024 her health began to fail, and she was admitted to VCU-Community Memorial Hospital. Later she was moved to The Hundley Center.

A Time To Die

Mary transitioned from labor to reward on May 6, 2025; 7:34 AM at Twin Lake Rehabilitation and Nursing Facility, South Hill, VA.

A Time to Mourn

Mary leaves to cherish her memory: four sisters- Deaconess Gracie Vaughn, Nashville, TN; Deaconess Sarah Noel, South Hill, VA; Deaconess Doris (Vincent) Bryant, Newark, NJ and Deacon Lizzie (Richard) Hayes, North Chesterfield, VA and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.