Frances Jefferson Terry, a beloved wife, mother, great-great-grandmother, friend, and community activist, passed away peacefully on October 6, 2024, at the age of 94. Born in Jackson, Mississippi, on January 7, 1930, to Ruth Williams Jefferson and Walter Louis Jefferson, she joined her beloved husband of 67 years, Bob, in eternal rest.
When Terry was twelve, she and her sister moved with their parents to Seattle, Washington, seeking better educational opportunities. She graduated from Seattle’s Broadway High School in 1946 at the young age of 16. Education and community engagement were Terry’s lifelong passions. She made history as the first African American to graduate from Seattle University’s School of Nursing. She later earned a master’s degree in nursing from the University of Washington. A true pioneer in the nursing field, Terry balanced raising five children with a distinguished career as a Registered Nurse and Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner. Her work spanned various settings, including hospitals, public schools, community mental health, non-profit organizations, and educational institutions.
In 1993, Terry was honored as one of three outstanding nurses at Harborview Medical Center during National Nurses Week. A dedicated member of the Washington State Nurses Association for 49 years, she represented the WSNA at the International Congress of Nurses in Madrid, Spain, and was inducted into the WSNA Hall of Fame in 2000. A highlight of her career was participating in an exchange nursing program in China, where she experienced a new culture and shared her expertise in physical and mental health nursing. Terry was also a long-time member of the Mary Mahoney Professional Nurses Association, mentoring aspiring nursing students.
Beyond her nursing career, Terry served on the Board of Seattle’s Catholic Community Services. She and Bob were active members of the Immaculate Conception Church and served on the Parish Council. She was also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and Seattle’s Delta Upsilon Omega chapter. Attending President Barack Obama’s inauguration in 2009 was a particularly proud moment for Terry.
Terry was preceded in death by her husband, Bob; her sister, Alice Marie; son-in-law, Roy Hays; and great-grandson, Khabir. She is survived by her children: Deborah (Kalvin), Robert (Marilyn), Michael, W. Brian (MizSunni), and Walter; eleven grandchildren; nineteen great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. She was deeply loved and will be greatly missed.
A Celebration of Life Mass will be held at Immaculate Conception Church, 820 18th Ave, Seattle, on Saturday, November 2, at 10:00 AM, followed by a repast at Immaculate Conception Social Hall. A private burial will be held at Holyrood Cemetery.
Viewing will be held at Evergreen Washelli Funeral Home, 11111 Aurora Ave N, Seattle, on Friday, November 1, from noon to 5 PM.
In Terry’s honor, memorial donations are suggested to the Mary Mahoney Scholarship Fund: marymahoney.org; Mary Mahoney Professional Nurse Organization, P.O. Box 22003, Seattle, WA 98122.
