Sallie Jean Williford

Ms. Sallie Jean Williford, 80, departed for Paradise, Tuesday, June 10, 2014 following a brief illness. Jean, a resident of Richmond, Virginia and previously of Chesapeake, Virginia was born March 15, 1934 in Petersburg, Virginia, the sixth of eight children, to the late Frank Lyle Slaughter and Sallie Fay Wells.

She is survived by her sisters, Constance Kazel of Puerto Rico and Diane Noel-Wilson of North Carolina, several beloved nieces and nephews of the Wray, Durham and Smith families, and many good friends. Her brothers, Frank Jr., Randy and Albert, and sisters, Frances and Lois predeceased her.

Jean was an ardent researcher of her family history, tracing both her fraternal and maternal family’s lines to arrival in America aboard the English vessel George in 1617, and then surviving the Powhatan Indian Uprising of 1622. She was able to locate records showing her father’s family as land-owners back to William the Conqueror as evidenced in the Domesday Census of 1086AD. Her maternal great grandfather, Pvt. Giles Wells, served during the Civil War, joining at 17 and surviving the Battle of the Crater. Jean’s father, Frank, was an internationally-ranked sharp-shooter, joining the military at 19 to fight in WWI, being in France for Armistice Day. In 1922 he was flying reconnaissance and was a long-time member of the Virginia National Guard.

Ms. Williford retired from Sentera Norfolk Hospital in 1996, following a long career in management, including the Radiology and Management Engineering Departments. This followed a career with Carolina Power and Light in Raleigh, North Carolina. Jean’s life was a living testimony to her faith and love of the Lord. Jean’s great humor, intellect, love of art, books and all things ‘classy’ --a REAL lady always-- will be greatly missed.

A memorial service of praise will take place in the Petersburg Chapel of J. T. Morriss & Son Saturday, June 21, 2014 at 11AM, and inurnment will follow in Blandford Cemetery, in Petersburg, Virginia. Condolences may be sent to 103 S. Adams St. Petersburg, Virginia 23803, or www.jtmorriss.com . Memorial donations should be sent be directed to the Salvation Army, The Virginia Historical Society, Friendship Baptist Church, 5200 Newbys Bridge Rd, Chesterfield, Virginia 23832, or the charity of one’s choice.