Mt. Vernon Nursing & Rehabilitation Center
Ms. Martha Jefferson, 98 years old, grew up in Decatur, Texas. After moving from Texas to Virginia, she began growing unique wild flowers. A friend who just happened to be a volunteer at the White House suggested that she submit her ideas to the White House detailing the types of flowers she grew. Much to her surprise, she received a call from a representative from the White House requesting that she deliver a bunch of her unique flowers to be displayed at a State Dinner. She was thrilled and personally delivered the flowers to the White House florist.
In the Washington Post the following day, Ms. Jefferson saw a picture of her beautiful flowers that were placed on the dining table at the State Dinner. To say the least, she was delighted. From that day forward she would make regular flower deliveries to the White House. Ms. Jefferson became very friendly with the staff and received several letters of thanks from First Lady, Roslyn Carter.
She continued her passion for floral arranging and became the flower chairman at her church and even taught classes on floral arrangement to the children at her church.
Ms. Jefferson is now visually impaired, but uses her sense of touch and years of experience to continue arranging some of the most beautiful flower arrangements.
Ms. Martha Jefferson is a resident of Mt. Vernon Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Alexandria where she has resided since June 2011.