Nellie Grace Looney Jeffries, often called simply, “Grace” was born on July 15, 1929 in Sunflower County, Mississippi. Nellie Grace married Louis Jeffries in Marion, Arkansas on November 14, 1950. To this union was born five children. Nellie departed this life quietly and peacefully on September 25, 2011 after a long illness in Tacoma, Washington where she has lived with her daughters for the past six years. Grace was preceded in death by her parents, Burrell and Henrietta Looney, husband Louis Jeffries Sr., son, Paul Norman Jeffries; and grandson, Marcus Jeffries; three sisters, Lucille Adams, Elmyria Hayes, and Dorothy Jarvis; four brothers, Martin Looney, Orlanders Looney, Burrell Looney Jr., and Freddie Looney. Nellie is survived by one sister, Rosie Looney Evans; four children, Dorothy (Lawrence) Anderson, Louis (Delores) Jeffries Jr., Reginald Jeffries and Pamela Cowley. Nellie was the proud grandmother of eleven grandsons, nine granddaughters, 21 great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren, a large extended family, and many dear friends who celebrate her life and mourn her passing. Nellie Grace graduated from Booker T. Washington High School with the class of 1948. Later in life, she received a professional certification in tailoring which served as her primary occupation and home-based business for over 30 years. Nellie also spent a number of years as a seamstress for White Rose Cleaners in Memphis, Tennessee. A lifetime member of the Velvetta Social and Savings Club, Nellie Grace was a celebrated member of her community and a member of Oak Grove Baptist Church under Pastor J. E. Clark, in Memphis, Tennessee. Visitation will be held from 3 p.m. to 6 p. m .on Friday, October 7, 2011 at E. H. Ford Mortuary Services. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 8, at 11 a.m. at New Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 793 W Peebles Rd, Memphis, TN 38109. Private inurnment at Calvary Cemetery in Memphis, TN. Please visit our online guestbook at www.newtacoma.com.