Octavia Jeffreys Dies Suddenly at Brother's Home, 1930

Published originally in the Clayton News and republished in The Johnsonian-Sun, Selma, N.C., Thursday, May 15, 1930

Mrs. Octavia Jeffreys Is Taken by Death

Mrs. Octavia Jeffreys, one of Clayton’s sweetest Christian characters, passed away at the home of her brother, Dr. B.A. Hocutt, last Saturday morning about 8:30 o’clock. Death came suddenly while Mrs. Jeffreys was at the breakfast table and followed an illness of several months.

Deceased was the daughter of the late Irving W. Hocutt and Elizabeth Barham Hocutt. She was born in Johnston County in Oneals Township and was 57 years old at the time of her death. She was educated in the Wakefield High School in the day when the late O.L. Stringfield was at its head, and later taught in the schools of Johnston County.

For a number of years past Mrs. Jeffreys had made her home with brother here, and by her quiet unassuming nature and lovable disposition had endeared herself in the hearts of the people of the town and community. She was a member of the Methodist Church and was active in the church work when physically able. Though a partial invalid for a number of years she retained her faith to the end and never lost contact with the brighter things of life.

Surviving are her mother, Mrs. I.W. Hocutt, and two children, Miss Doris Jeffreys of Asheville and Nicholas Jeffreys of Clayton. Also surviving are two brothers, Dr. B.A. Hocutt and Mr. Q.B. HOcutt of Clayton, and one sister, Mrs. J.D. Jeffreys of Selma. One brother, Dr. John I. Hocutt, having died about twenty-five years ago.

Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at 3 o’clock from the home, conducted by her pastor, Rev. E.D. Dodd, assisted by Dr. Andrews of the Baptist Church. Interment was in the new cemetery at Clayton.