Retired Durham County Extension Director and
State EFNEP Coordinator

Contributions since retirement:
Dr. Mary DeLois Jacobs, after nine years in retirement, continues to live the mission and vision of North Carolina Cooperative Extension. She has devoted her time to engaging others in informal educational opportunities, enhancing the capacity of young people to achieve their vision and creating public policy that improves the lives of North Carolina families.  Her passion for service is reflected in the time she has spent in public service to her community.

Mary Jacobs has continued to pursue the mission of Cooperative Extension even in the years following her retirement from the organization in 1997. Jacobs has in her vocations and avocations found innovative and compassionate roles that improve the quality of life for North Carolina residents through education.

Her commitment to Bennett College of Greensboro has been unwavering.  She served her alma mater in its most challenging days as Director of Alumnae Relations and Fund Raising.  Cooperative Extension has benefited from this relationship also. Mary D. Jacobs has been a role model for many Bennett graduates who have found a professional home in Cooperative Extension.  We will continue to benefit as the College continues its commitment to preparing young women to lead in the 21^st century.  Jacobs serves as a mentor and advocate for the personal and professional development of a host of young professional women across the state and nation.   They include researchers, statesmen, university leaders, attorneys and businesswomen, and they represent North Carolina’s future. As a member of the Durham Steering Committee for United Negro College Fund, her commitment to improving the quality of life for North Carolina’s youngest residents is exemplified.   

Jacobs has devoted energy and ingenuity to the application of her faith and improving the health of North Carolina citizens.  She served as the founding project coordinator for the Faith and Health Initiative of the N.C. General Baptist Convention.  This program provided training and support for lay health leaders in historically African American Churches in North Carolina encouraging healthy lifestyle habits that contribute to the reduction of chronic diseases that disproportionately impact their members.  Recognizing the importance of public policy in improving the health of North Carolina residents, Jacobs found time to serve on Durham County’s Board of Health.                                                                                                                                                            
Jacobs is a recognized and effective leader in her community and in the State. Her passion for service led her to the elected roles of City Councilwomen and then County Commissioner in the City and County of Durham respectively.  Her advocacy and skills in building partnerships resulted in numerous opportunities for the Durham community to progress; most notably the development of the nationally recognized American Tobacco Campus.  North Carolina Cooperative Extension is better served   by her advocacy and support of the Durham Capital Improvement Plan that included the long-awaited renovation of the historic Durham County Agricultural Building, which houses Cooperative Extension.  She has served as a consistent and steadfast advocate for Cooperative Extension.

Jacobs in retirement consistently upholds the mission and vision of Cooperative Extension.  Her professionalism and passion for helping people continues to shape the public image of our organization and frame the path to improved quality of life for North Carolina’s youth and adults.

Career:

      Realtor®, Broker   Realty Executives, Triangle – Southpointe.  Durham,

      County Commissioner   Durham County, North Carolina

      Project Coordinator, Faith and Health Initiative General Baptist State Convention     

      City Council Member –At Large  City of Durham, NC

      Director of Alumnae Relations and Fund Raising  Bennett College, Greensboro, NC

      Durham County Extension Director,  NC Program (EFNEP)  Coordinator,                

      County & Area Home Economics Extension Agent  North C Cooperative Extension Service