Jeanette Martha Burton, 76

LAUREL - Jeanette Martha Burton of Laurel departed this life on March 13, 2007, at Nanticoke Hospital in Seaford. She was 76.

She was born Aug. 22, 1930, and was the daughter of the late Edward and Catherine Jefferson.

Jeanette was married to her soulmate for 53 years. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and aunt. She could always make you laugh. She will be missed by all. Jeanette was a beautiful person inside and outside. Jeanette was a true virtuous woman.

She was a member of New Zion United Methodist Church. She was also a member of the New Zion United Methodist Women, Laurel.

She is preceded in death by one grandchild, Brenda Jefferson; one great-grandson Tre"veont Johnson; four brothers-in-law, Lois Smith, Johnny Henry, William Dixon, Harry Miller; two sisters, Frances Dixon and Ann Miller; and one aunt, Emma Palmer.

She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Jerome Burton of Laurel; six children, Patricia Johnson of Junction City, Kan. and her husband, Jackie, Greg Jefferson of Laurel, Cora Thomas and her husband, Jasper of Seaford, Maxine Stancell and her husband Moses, of Seaford, Jerome Jefferson of Columbia, Md., and Janice Jefferson of Laurel; one daughter in Christ, Arinthia Sorden of Milford; one step-daughter, Maria Deshields of St. Louis; 12 grandchildren, Melanie Thomas Price and husband, Paxton of Newark, Corey Thomas Sr. of Laurel, Angie Johnson of Junction City, Kan., Eric Stancell and his wife, Melanie of Newark, Jacqueline Johnson of Junction City, Kan., Katrina Jefferson of Greenwood, Rayshawn Jefferson of Seaford, Greg Jefferson Jr. of Hurlock, Md., Leola Johnson of Junction City, Kan., Tenise Jefferson of Laurel, Jamar Jefferson of Laurel; Michael Jones of Greenwood, who is like a grandson; Dana Passwaters of Seaford, who is like a granddaughter; one step-granddaughter, Salina Greene of St. Louis; one step-grandson, Steven Harris of St. Louis; 17 great-grandchildren, Da"Niece Thomas, Kabreah Cannon, Nymesha Jarman Jefferson, Corey Thomas Jr., Antoine Cannon, Thalia Thomas, Raivyn Jefferson, Kamryn Jefferson, Rayshawn Jefferson Jr., Makaila Johnson, Jerome Johnson, Malik Johnson, Patrick Johnson, Demetrius Harvey, Jose Pagan, Charlie Pagan; one step-great-granddaughter, Brianna Holden; three brothers, John Ed Jefferson of Laurel, Issac Jefferson Sr. and his wife, Adeline, both of Dover, Rudolph Jefferson of Delmar; one sister, Edna Smith of Philadelphia; sister and brother-in-law Amos and Dorothy Harman; two brothers-in-law, William Henry, James Henry.

Viewing will be from 6-8 p.m. Friday at New Zion United Methodist Church in Laurel. Services will be 1 p.m. Saturday at New Zion United Methodist Church where friends may view two hours prior.

Burial will be in Mt. Olive Cemetery, Laurel.

Arrangements by Bennie Smith Funeral Home.