Jefferson mourns loss of community leader

Austin Lewter, Jefferson Jimplecute

When I first arrived in Jefferson 10 years ago, I was given a list of people to go meet on day one. 

At the top of that list was a lady named Mary Edmond. 

I was told if I needed to get anything done in Jefferson, I needed to talk to her. 

So I did.

And we became friends instantly. 

We shared a passion for community and people. 

She was a lifelong Jefferson resident and she passed away on December 26, 2020.

Mary was the third child born to the late Marvin V. and Ethel J. Jones McCoy on Sept. 19. 1944.  

Mary was a graduate of Central High School.  

She attended Jarvis Christian College, Wiley College, Friends University and Douglas Memorial School of Nursing where she studied Business  and Nursing.  

She was proud of her hometown and loved the people who inhabit it. 

Her contributions were numerous in Marion County. 

She was a member of the Speedwell Order of the Eastern Stars, Marion County Community Center, and the American Association of Professional Landmen.  

She was a faithful member of St. Luke CME Church where she served as Secretary and Stewardess.

She worked for the Texas Department of Health and served as Mayor Pro-Tem and a member of the Jefferson City Council. 

Mary stepped in to fill her husband Chester’s seat on the council when he passed away and stayed on to serve multiple terms of her own. 

Former Jefferson Mayor Carey Heaster served with her for many years.

“We sat side by side at city council meetings for years,” Heaster said. “We didn’t always agree on everything— sometimes far from it, but we always remained friends. She was the type of lady with whom you disagree and discuss things and leave the room as friends. That’s the thing I’ll remember the most about her— how we could disagree but always be friends.”

Alderman Victor Perot served on the council when Mary stepped in to fill her husbands seat. 

“We really stepped forward and filled out hole for the community when Chester died,” Perot said. “I served with them both… She was a really great lady who watched over her community. She will be missed and we’d be better served to have more people like her.” 

Mary was proceeded in death by her husband Chester Edmond, her parents Mr. and Mrs Marvin McCoy, two brothers George McCoy, Thomas McCoy, one sister Treanor McCoy, one Aunt Fanny Jackson, and several uncles.

Survivors include Sisters Laretha Miles, Elois Huckaby (Tony), Dorothy Burton (Michael), two brothers Arthur Miles, Jr., David Johnson, Sister in  law Ada Faye Steward, Ray Walker and Helen Walker. Jessica Burton (Niece), Kevin Miles (Nephew), Demond Steward (Nephew) and Nashay Steward (Niece)