Jacqueline Louise Williford

Jackie was born on July 22, 1942, in Portsmouth, Virginia, to Alfred Joseph Wamsley and Verna Berdella Skundberg Wamsley and was raised in Tarboro, North Carolina. After marrying the love of her life, Ray, they spent nearly twenty years in Bluefield, West Virginia, where they built lifelong friendships, raised their family, and became active members of the community. In later years, they returned to North Carolina, where Jackie spent the remainder of her life surrounded by family and her church community. She was a devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother, loyal friend, and a woman whose life reflected her deep Christian faith and unwavering commitment to serving others.

Jackie graduated from East Carolina University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education. Throughout her life, Jackie embraced many meaningful roles. She was first and foremost a devoted Christian homemaker, creating a loving home centered on Christ and family. She also served as an elementary school teacher, later becoming the Director of the Bland Street United Methodist Day School, where she positively influenced the lives of countless children and families. In a later chapter of her career, Jackie became a successful real estate broker, serving clients in West Virginia, Virginia and North Carolina with integrity, professionalism, and genuine care.

She was an active member of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Bluefield, West Virginia, where she served her church family for many years. After moving to North Carolina, she became a member of Shepherd's Church in Cary, where she continued to grow in her faith and enjoy fellowship with her church community and volunteering in the church library.

Above all else, Jackie cherished her family. She found her greatest joy in being a wife, mother, and grandmother, and she loved celebrating life's moments with those she loved most. Her kindness, gentle spirit, generous heart, and steadfast faith left a lasting impression on everyone who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Alfred Joseph Wamsley and Verna Berdella Skundberg Wamsley, and by her brother, Alfred "Skip" Joseph Wamsley Jr.

Jackie is lovingly remembered by her devoted husband, E. Ray Williford of sixty one years; her daughter, Elizabeth “Beth” Louise Williford Johnson, and son-in-law, James "Jay" Joseph Johnson II; her granddaughters, Caroline Elizabeth Johnson Croutworst (Jonathan Croutworst) and Virginia “Ginny” Ruth Johnson; her son, Gordon Adcock Williford, and daughter-in-law, Nichole Umberger Burton Williford; and her grandsons, Burton Adcock Williford and Sutton Umberger Williford; her sister-in-law, Dorothy “Dot“ Puckett and her niece Carleen Puckett Evans (Dale Evans). She also leaves behind many extended family members, dear friends, and all whose lives were enriched by knowing her.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Jackie's life at a Celebration of Life service on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Shepherd's Church Chapel in Cary, North Carolina. Following the service family and friends are invited to a luncheon in the cafeteria.

Though she will be deeply missed, Jackie's family finds comfort in knowing she is now in the presence of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Her legacy of love, compassion, and service will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made in Jackie's memory to:

Transitions Life Care (250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607)

or

Wisdom International (619 Gateway Drive, Clayton, NC 27520 with mention to Jackie)