Mrs. Mary Ellen Briggs passed away peacefully surrounded by her husband and daughter on Wednesday, February 20, 2013.



Born February 15, 1927, in Hendersonville, NC, she was the sixth child of Henry and Cora Lee Stephens. She was preceded in death by her parents and five siblings: Debro, Walter, Hazel, Hugh and Theodore.



She attended the local schools in Hendersonville, North Carolina and graduated from Shaw University in 1947. In later years, she did further studies at Brothers College in Memphis, TN and North Carolina A & T State University in Greensboro, NC.



She was a beloved science teacher who began her teaching career in Hendersonville, NC. She retired from the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County school system with over 35 years of service. Mrs. Briggs was a tough, but compassionate educator. She taught many through the years, including some of her own brothers and sisters, one of whom remarked that she was the toughest teacher he ever had.



She was a member of the D.N. 'ers Pinochle Club and was a proud Quette. She also loved to work in her rose garden.



She married Ben Meeks Briggs in December of 1961. They had one daughter, Ellen Benita. The three of them formed a close and loving relationship with each other lasting over 46 years.



She is survived by her devoted husband, Ben Meeks Briggs of the home and daughter Ellen Benita Brown (Timothy) of Winston-Salem; one brother, Douglas Stephens of Newfield, NJ; three sisters, Lottie Stephens of Silver Spring, MD, Marguerite S. Crawford (Albert) of Surprise, AZ, and Jeanette S. Best, of Winston-Salem; nephew, Derek Best of Winston-Salem; numerous nieces and nephews from all over the country; and special friends, Reverend and Mrs. Sam (Sylvia) Hickerson, of Winston-Salem, NC.



Funeral services will be held at 1:00pm Monday, February 25, 2013 at New Light Missionary Baptist Church, 1535 East 15th Street, W-S NC 27105. The family will receive friends from 12:30pm until 1:00pm on Monday at the church.