Augusta Gibbs Seiferth

Published 12:42 am Sunday, April 2, 2017

NATCHEZ — Services for Augusta Gibbs Seiferth, 91, who died Saturday, March 25, 2017, at her residence, will be 11 a.m. Monday at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Natchez.

Burial will follow at Gospel Temple Church Cemetery in Stanton under the direction of Bateaste Memorial Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. today at the funeral home and from 10 a.m. until service time Monday at the Kingdom Hall.

Mrs. Seiferth was born Oct. 27, 1925, the eldest daughter of Jesse Franklin and Anna Proby. For much of her childhood, she was under the watchful eye and loving care of her maternal grandmother, Mary Proby and her husband, Fred “Papa” Green, who she embraced as her grandfather.

Her early years were spent on Ashland Plantation in Church Hill where she and her brother, Freddie Franklin, worked along side other relatives as sharecroppers.

Seeking a new way of life, Augusta sought and found work as a domestic maid with the Kaiser and Well families, where she worked for a number of years. For several years, she worked at the Natchez Pecan Factory where she sorted pecan shells. In the late 70s, she joined the cafeteria staff at Morgantown Elementary School where she became well known for her legendary cinnamon rolls and shaphetti — favored commodities of students and staff alike. While at Morgantown, she fostered lifelong friendships with other kitchen staff including Della Thomas, Ollie Mae “Sister” Squalls, Bessie Thomas, Lillie Searcy, Elsie Thomas, Nola Mae Bernard, Marie Hunt and Audrey Franklin.

In 1982, she was hired by Dr. David and Dale Steckler as the family cook, a job she maintained until her retirement in 2000. Because of Augusta’s selfless love and unifying spirit, the Steckler and Seiferth families have enjoyed a number of years of love and comradery. The Steckler children, David, Stephanie, Suzanne, Mary Margaret, Jennifer, Wesley, Jarrod, John and Mark will always be a part of Augusta’s extended family.

Mrs. Seiferth was deeply passionate and committed to her family. In the early 70s, she met the love of her life, James Seiferth of Natchez, who added a number of years of joy and happiness until his sudden death in 1982. Her commitment to family was most apparent in the selfless love shown toward her seven children, Ayyub Assabor and wife, Ruby, Jessie Ann Singleton, Mary Ethel Franklin, Anita Gibbs Smith, Virgil Lee Gibbs, Emily Sanders and husband, Merrick, and James Gibbs. It was through her children that Augusta had the profound blessing of loving and impacting four generations of descendants including 23 grandchildren, 64 great-grandchildren and 25 great-great-grandchildren.

Equally as important as her family was her faith and devotion to Jehovah God. She found Christ at an early age and for a number of years was a devoted member and pillar of the Gospel Temple Baptist Church. In 1990, her faith found new meaning and expression when she became a member of her beloved Kingdom Hall of Jehovah Witnesses. Her new found faith fueled her passion for reading and studying the word of God and witnessing to others about Jehovah God and Jesus Christ. Augusta was the oldest auxiliary pioneer within the Natchez congregation.

Fondly known as “Ms. Gusta,” she was well loved by members of the Stanton, Cannonsburg and Church Hill communities — sharing special lifelong friendships with her neighbors Julia Griffin and Rosalie Woods.

She will be most remembered for her unmeasured love for everyone she encountered. The sound of her infectious laughter will forever remain music for the soul of anyone who heard it. Her impeccable culinary expertise will always rival the finest chefs in town. Hers is a light that will never die.

The family will receive expressions of hospitality and other food items Monday beginning at 11 a.m. at the Louis Gunning Community Safe Room located at 323 Liberty Road.