Scholarships

Elaine (Scott) Lomax Jeffries, RN, beloved wife, mother, sister, cousin, nurse, friend to all, and one of God’s true earthly Angels, entered into a state of eternal rest, passing into the radiant twilight of God’s merciful kingdom, on Monday, February 22, 2021, in Montclair, New Jersey.

Elaine’s journey of triumph and spiritual fortitude began with her blessed arrival on October 15, 1932, in Staunton, Virginia.  

A Graduate of East Orange High School, Class of 1951, Elaine’s career training in the health care profession began with her enrollment at the prestigious Harlem Hospital School of Nursing. She graduated as a proud member of the Class of 1954, where she earned her nursing degree, and became a licensed Registered Nurse.

Elaine served as a Staff Nurse at Presbyterian Hospital, Newark, New Jersey, East Orange General Hospital and Orange Memorial Hospitals in Medicine/Surgery. She spent 20 productive years in outpatient-settings as Pediatric Nurse for Drs. Ford and Ross, in East Orange, New Jersey, as well as the Newark Pre-School Council, North Jersey Community Union and the United Hospitals of Newark, NJ until retirement in 1997. In many respects, she became the ‘go to’ family and community caregiver and healer.     

Throughout her lifetime and during her retirement, Elaine participated in numerous charitable causes. She served most notably as a member and treasurer of the Vivian Gaunt African Heritage Scholarship Fund (VGAHSF) — a community foundation that provides academic scholarships. 

As a devout Christian disciple, Elaine was a faithful member of Union Baptist Church, Orange, NJ, under the pastorship of Rev. J. Vance McIver who was succeeded by Rev. William Freeman. She also worshiped at New Hope Baptist Church, East Orange helmed by Rev. Dwight Gill and in her final years, she joined St. Paul Baptist Church, Montclair, under the pastorship of Rev. Dr. Bernadette Glover.

Elaine enjoyed crocheting, reading, traveling, listening to jazz, walks in the park, watching cable news, shopping at discount stores — she knew how to stretch a dollar — and, she enjoyed sharing her fond memories and wisdom with granddaughter Maya Channel Jeffries, in whom she took great pride.

Elaine is predeceased by her husband, Jesse Jeffries, Jr., son, Jesse Scott Jeffries, brother, John Scott Lee, daughters–in-law, Francine Baldwin Jeffries (Darryl) and Erica Ralph (Derrick), brothers-in-law, Mattison Agneu, Reginald T. Jeffries, Hudson Jones, Leon Motley and Edgar Ray Ussery, sisters-in-law, Sylvia Jeffries Motley and Betty Ford Jeffries, nephew, Duane Ussery, nieces, Lenora and Teresa Motley (Dennis), great-niece Molaika Motley, and cousin, Diane Mack. 

Elaine leaves to cherish her memory: her beloved identical twin sons, Douglas LaMont (Mary) and Darryl LeRoy (Lady Trisha Scipio (c)), son, Derrick Lowell, nephew/son, Dennis Motley (Linda); granddaughter, Maya Chanel Dowdell Jeffries; step grandson, Edward ‘Mancie’ Rouse; sisters, Delores Ussery and Barbara Agneu; surrogate grand-angels, Jasmine, Joi-Breanna, and Jepthaw Derrick; special friend, Shivaun Gaines; and a host of other relatives, brothers and sisters in Christ, and friends. 

Winfred S. Gideon, III of Rossmoor, Monroe Township, N.J., died on Tuesday, June 26, 2012, at St. Barnabas Medical Center, Livingston, N.J., after a short illness. He was 97. Born in Charlotte, N.C., on Aug. 30, 1914, Mr. Gideon moved to Philadelphia in 1928, and resided in Germantown, Pa., for many years prior to moving to East Orange, N.J., in 1952. Mr. Gideon was educated in North Carolina and Philadelphia and was an honors graduate of Germantown High School, Class of 1933. He was a professional photographer before joining the U.S. Army Signal Corps as a civilian, taking numerous courses at Drexel Institute. A longtime member of the Men of Cliveden, he was an avid tennis player and golfer and an active member of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Germantown, Pa. After moving to East Orange, Mr. Gideon became active at the Church of the Epiphany, Orange, serving on the vestry, as superintendent of the Sunday School, as a lay reader and chalice bearer, and other activities. He began a second career with Prudential Insurance Co. after many years as a civilian in the U.S. Army Signal Corps, retiring from Prudential at the age of 72. Known for his commitment to his community, Mr. Gideon was a member of the board of trustees of East Orange General Hospital; president of the East Orange Board of Education and the United Way of Essex & West Hudson, and founder in 1959 of The Men of Essex, which honored him in that role at that organization's 50th Anniversary Awards Dinner. Up until his recent illness, Mr. Gideon was actively involved in the Rossmoor community in Monroe Township. He attended services at the Rossmoor Community Church, played golf, was an avid and active bowler, and lived on his own after the death of his wife in 2007. Also active in Monroe Township life, he served for many years on the Monroe Township Fair Housing Board and was vice president at his death. He kept up his contacts and connections and was often honored by his peers. He was a Renaissance man - a professional photographer, a composer of music, and a chess player. Always ready with a smile and a sense of engagement with the world, he will be deeply missed both by those who knew him and those whose lives were the beneficiaries of his legacy. Mr. Gideon was predeceased by his wife of 65 years, Marie DeForest Gideon; his sister, Cora Matilda Carson, and brother, Richard Houston Gideon. He is survived by daughter, Faith Gideon Brown; nieces, Sandra Hoke and Sheila Gideon, several cousins and a host of friends.