SUFFOLK — Mary Etta Mitchell Sebron, 90 passed away peacefully at Nansemond Pointe Rehabilitation Center on Monday, Dec. 28, 2009.
She was born Jan. 22, 1919 in Carrsville, Va. She is the widow of the late Willie Edward Sebron Sr., and the daughter of the late George Washington Mitchell and Ornia Douglas Mitchell Turner.
She is survived by one daughter, Mary Edith Sebron Steverson (Lewis), of Suffolk; three sons, Willie Edward Sebron Jr., of Suffolk, Gene Autry Sebron, of Greenbelt, Md., Francell Sebron, of Temple Hills, Md.; one sister, Catherine Mitchell Woodbury, of Suffolk; six grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends.
For 29 ½ years, she was employed at Planter’s Company (Nabisco), where she retired. She was also employed by the City of Suffolk Sheriff Department as a matron for four years under the leadership of J. Irving Baines.
At an early age, she dedicated her life to God and became a loyal member of Morning Star Baptist Church, Windsor, Va. She loved her church and served as a member of the Senior Usher Board Ministry, Deaconess Ministry, Missionary Circle Ministry, Captain of the January Birthday Club, a Captain and Chairperson for Women’s Day and participated in various literary programs. Her illness over the past several years caused her to become inactive; however, she still wanted to know the progress of her church and members.
Her abundant love for her Orlando community led her to participate in community and school services. She was the founder of the Orlando Community Civic League and represented them graciously at the council meetings. Often she spoke out at the meetings on various issues on improvements needed for the community.
As a volunteer worker during the local, state and national elections, she spent many long hours going from house to house encouraging people to get out and vote. She even helped provide transportation for those that did not have a way to get to the voting precincts. “Mae,” as she was called by many of her friends and acquaintances, would always say that “voting gave you a voice in government.”
Her family and extended family members were very important. She always had time for her family and expressed gladness when she saw them in her home or visited them in their homes. Often she gave words of encouragement, guidance, tender care, teaching, praise, hugs, and even financial assistance.
A funeral service will be held at Morning Star Baptist Church, 8445 W. Blackwater Road, Windsor, VA 23487 at noon Friday, Jan. 1, 2010. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The family will gather at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 1, 2010, from the home of the deceased at 506 Factory St., Suffolk for departure to Morning Star Baptist Church in Windsor, Va. The family has requested that donations be made to The American Heart Association. Crocker Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. Condolences may be extended to the family at www.crockerfuneralhome.com.