Mary Jeffers

Mary Helen Jeffers

Mary Helen Jeffers, 92, of Roswell, passed away peacefully on October 3, 2020. Mary Helen was born on April 14, 1928 in Ballinger, Texas, to Carl Henson and Margaret (Vogelsang) Henson. She spent her early years in Ballinger where her father was a deputy sheriff. In 1935, the family moved to Brady, Texas where her father and her uncle Ben L. White opened a John Deere farm and ranch implement business. She graduated from high school in 1945 and attended Texas Christian University, eventually moving back to Brady where she worked at a bank.

On January 3, 1948, she married Dee Jeffers (Ranching family McCulloch City, TX) in Brady. In November of 1948, Dee and Mary Helen welcomed their first son, Rod Jeffers, and after moving with the family ranching business to Antlers, Oklahoma, they welcomed their second son Brad, who was born in 1951. In the late 1950's, the family moved west to Colorado, and on to New Mexico where her husband Dee began a 25-year career with Duke City Lumber Company in Albuquerque and other cities in New Mexico, Arizona and Texas, where the company operated lumber mills.

Mary Helen was a homemaker, a wonderful cook and an avid bridge player. She loved her family more than anything and was a fixture at all of the many Henson family reunions throughout the years where she was surrounded by her many aunts, uncles and loving cousins. She also gained many wonderful lifelong friends as a result of her husband’s long career in the lumber industry. She only saw the good in everyone she met in life and went out of her way to make them welcome in her home.

Mary Helen is survived by her two sons, Rod and Brad, and Brad’s wife Debbi, all of Roswell. She is also survived by four grandchildren: Lynn Jeffers and Tina Jeffers of Albuquerque, and Jay Jeffers (wife Stephanie), Allen, Texas, and Jamie Jeffers (wife Ashley), Dallas, Texas, along with seven great grandchildren, nephews Eddie (Linda), Robert (Linda), niece Jan Jeffers, and countless friends and loved ones.

Mary Helen was predeceased by her parents, her husband Dee, her brother-in-law Harry Jeffers and wife Juanita, sister-in-law Stella Olson and husband Odell, sister-in-law Mary Jeffers, grandson Christopher Jeffers, and nephews Hal Jeffers and James Jeffers.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude for the loving care given by the staff at Heartfelt Manor, as well as a special thanks to Mrs. Betty Bustillos who has been so kind and loving to Mary Helen for so many years.

A graveside memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 24, 2020 at 10:30AM at the General Douglas L. McBride Veterans Cemetery in Roswell, conducted by Pastor Laird Cross of First United Methodist Church.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Cowboy Bell Scholarship Fund, in care of First United Methodist Church, 200 North Pennsylvania, Roswell, NM 88201, or Chaves County CASA Program, P.O. Box 2131, Roswell, NM 88202.