Columbus, OH — On July 24, 2022, Mary Lea Jeffers was reunited with her beloved husband, Albert, who preceded her in death in 2013. She left her earthly body behind at Wilson Hospital in Johnson City, N.Y., at the age of 94, and went joyfully into the arms of her Savior.

She was born Oct. 15, 1927, in Perry County, Ill. She was the daughter of Leslie L. Miles and M. Maude (Sprenger) Miles. She had one brother, the late Oren F. Miles. She leaves behind a daughter, Adele Lynette Jeffers Everett; son-in-law, Paul W. Everett; grandsons, Joel C. (Lane) Everett and Isaac J. (Katie) Everett; great-grandchildren, Miles A. Everett and Nathan A. Everett; and nephews, Gary L. Jeffers and Robert W. Jeffers. She also leaves behind her adopted New York family Marc, Danielle, and Michael Hennekens.

She met her beloved husband, Albert L. Jeffers, at a USO dance in Evansville in February 1946 after the war ended. She said he was adorable with his curly hair and sailor suit. They were married June 6, 1948.

She became the president and treasurer of Al-Mar Farms, Inc., a family farming corporation, in 1985, and she kept the books until the age of 90. She and Albert also founded Mary Lea Jeffers Farm, a nationally recognized Standardbred breeding farm, in Flat Rock, Ill., beginning with nine mares she inherited from her father in 1970. She bred several race horses that won over half a million dollars. She loved going to the races and seeing her horses win.  She ran the payroll for the farm and took care of all the required paperwork until age 90.

A memorial service will be held Saturday (July 30) at 2 p.m. at Living Hope Church in Endicott, N.Y. A reception at the church will follow after the service. Burial will be at a later date in Huntingburg, Ind.

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