Malinda Merlene Jeffries was born May 16, 1939 to Booker T and Carrie Harris in Harris, N.C. She transitioned to her new home on December 29, 2023.
She received her formal education in the public school system in N.C and graduated from Carver High School in Spindale, N.C in 1957. She later married her high school sweetheart L.B. Jeffries and moved to Passaic, NJ. To that union were born two sons Leonard and Larry Jeffries.
Merlene was employed by K-mart retail store for eight years, then went to Sawyer School of Business were she took a course in office procedures. She worked in the Passaic County Tax Assesors Office until they downsized. After which she took a course in the health field and became a certified home health aid.
Her husband died during that time so she moved to Philadelphia in 1995 to be close to her family. She worked as a domestic while getting certified in the state of Pa. She was employed at Saunders House nursing home as a CNA until she retired at 70 yrs old.
In 1996 she joined First Corinthian Baptist Church under the pastorate of the late Rev. Salis Thomas where she faithfully served on the United Voices, Mass Choir, Willing Workers, Sanctuary Choir, Memorian Choir, and the Home Mission Board.
She was preceded in death by two sisters Gertrude Davis
(Norman) of Marlboro, Md. Curren Harris (Rodney Loper) of Philadelphia, Pa. Four brothers Othanel Harris (Mabel) of
Rutherfordton, Nc. Caldwell Harris (Mary Ann) of Lawnside, N.j Samuel Harris (Mabel) of Rutherfordton, Nc. Rudolph Harris (Girlene) of Philadelphia, Pa. She leaves to cherish her memories two sons Leonard Jeffries (Brenda) of Philadelphia Pa. Larry Jeffries of Passaic Nj. One granddaughter Katoya Coleman (Jamar) of Philadelphia Pa and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family and friends.
Services will be held at Thompson Mortuary & Chapel on Saturday, January 13, 2024, at 1:00 P.M.
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