Lela Mae Jefferson

Mrs. Lela Mae Jefferson, age 76, passed away Tuesday, March 2, 2021, at Nacogdoches Medical Center.

Mrs. Jefferson was born June 7, 1944, in San Augustine County's New Hope community to parents Lonnie Worry and Artie Fitzgerald Worry.

She had a loving Christian home growing up with her brothers and sister and enjoyed school years at San Augustine, making many friends. While in school she began working at Dairy Mart. After attending Massey Business School, she worked at Commercial State Bank, San Augustine, and Pineland State Bank.

After being married she had a son, Neal John Shelton. Lela was a loving mother and also loved her family and friends.

Lela later worked at San Augustine Nursing Center and then joined Twin Lakes Care Center for several years. White working at Twin Lakes she obtained her Medication Aid certification from Angelina College. She found her calling working with the elderly. She had a kind Christian way in caring for her patients.

After working at Twin Lakes for several years, she began working for the Daniels family in Chireno and then for the Layton family, who became her second family helping care for Mrs. Layton and her daughter, Maxie.  After Mrs. Layton passed away, Lela went to Nacogdoches to continue caring for Maxie. The two of them loved God and enjoyed being together, especially listening to Gaither Gospel Music, and attending many family gatherings with the Layton family, who loved Lela and did for her just as they did for their sister Maxie. After Maxie went to be with the Lord, Maxie's sister, Lynn Kenner, and the Layton brothers provided for Lela's every need. 

Lela let the Lord use her to bless others and He allowed her to be blessed by others.

Her survivors include her son, Neal John Shelton; a brother, Lonnie Ray Worry; nieces, Dorothy Hawthorne, Shirley Byley, Tina Comsteive, Tonillia Byley, Cherry Morris, Rita Worry, and Carol Worry; nephews, William Worry, Ricky Worry, and Joe Worry; and very special people, the Layton and Kenner families.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene K. Jefferson; parents, Lonnie and Artie Fitzgerald Worry; brothers, A.R. Worry and George F. Worry; a sister, Parelee Adams; and sisters-in-law, Wilma Worry and Judy Worry.

Visitation will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 6, 2021, at Wyman Roberts Funeral Home chapel in San Augustine.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 6, 2021, at the Wyman Roberts Funeral Home chapel in San Augustine with Derrell Bennett officiating. Interment will follow at Shiloh Cemetery in the Denning community.

Pallbearers: Charles Layton, Dale Layton, Brett Byley, Travis Hawthorne, Wesley Hawthorne, Darrenn Fountain, and Doug Fitzgerald.

Visit www.WymanRobertsFuneralHome.com for memories and condolences.

Arrangements are under the direction of Wyman Roberts Funeral Home.

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