Deacon Thomas Earl Jefferson Obituary (1941 - 2023)

Deacon Thomas Earl Jefferson went home to be with the Lord, peacefully, onSunday, April 2, 2023. He was born in Bertie County, Windsor, NC on February 3,1941 to the late Harry and Nettie Jefferson; he was one of nine children, 7 boys and 2girls. Thomas was educated in the Bertie County School system, and later, in 1979,he successfully completed the GED program at Ossining High School to receive hishigh school diploma.On April 20, 1959, he married Viola Bunch, and to this union, five children were born;2 boys and 3 girls. While living in Windsor, Thomas drove a tractor trailer forWhitehead Milling Company. In 1966, Thomas and Viola relocated their family toOssining, New York. He was employed at the VA Medical Center in Montrose, andsoon landed a job as a bus driver for Liberty Lines Transit in Yonkers. In later years,he was employed as the church Sexton, along with his wife, Viola, for over 30 years.He was also employed as a school bus driver for the Peekskill City School District,transporting special needs children.Deacon Thomas Jefferson became a member of the Star of Bethlehem BaptistChurch, Ossining, New York in 1968, under the pastorate of Rev. Junius W. Cofield,Sr. In 1975 he was chosen to serve as a Trustee under the pastorate of Rev. GordonE. Henderson. He also served as the Church Treasurer from 1976 to 2006. OnFebruary 3, 1980, he was ordained as a Deacon under the pastorate of Rev. Andy C.Lewter, Jr. Although his health began to fail in 2020, he actively served in theDeacon's Ministry for 43 years.Deacon Jefferson participated in several ministries: Star Lunch Program, Male Choir,Mass Choir, Media Ministry, Men's Ministry, JW Cofield Memorial Scholarship Ministryand the Transportation Ministry. When the Westchester Council of Churches wasestablished in 1980, Deacon Jefferson served by delivering and distributing food fromthe local food pantry to the local churches in the Westchester area.Deacon Jefferson was an active Sunday School and Bible Study participant. Heattended the quarterly and annual sessions of the Central Hudson Baptist AssociationCongress of Christian Education, well as several Empire Missionary Baptist Laymen'sConferences and National Baptist Conventions. In 2011, he was presented the PillarAward by the Empire Baptist Laymen's Auxiliary, and in 2016, he was presented theMen of Integrity Award by the Central Hudson Baptist Association Laymen's Auxiliary.The image of Deacon Jefferson was featured in a children's book, "Back Home", authored byGloria Jean Pinkney, and illustrated by her late husband, Jerry Pinkney. This book is a greatmemory that can be shared with his grandchildren and great grandchildren, whom he loved dearly.Grandpa was known to spoil his grandchildren; they have fond memories of sneakers with velcro, helping to clean the church on Saturday mornings and during school breaks, car rides to North Carolina,many trips to McDonald's and the special haircuts that only Grandpa could give! Deacon Jefferson was affectionately known by several nicknames; 'Lil Bud', 'Mitt', 'Brother J', 'Jeff, and because of his name, he was called 'Mr. President' by the nursing home staff.He leaves to mourn a loving family; his wife of 63 years, Viola Jefferson; his children,Gwenda (Hubert) Jordan; Cedric Jefferson; Priscilla (Steven) White; Sharon (Ken) Boyd;a niece, Kinyaa Bunch; goddaughters, Stephanie (Germaine) Williams and Tiana Lewter;one sister, Celia Cherry; one daughter-in-law, Robin Jefferson; thirteen grandchildren, Lashanda Jefferson, Richard Jefferson, Cedric (Devon) Jefferson Jr., Justin (Lakoya) Jordan, Steven White II, Ryan (Joe) Jefferson, Dion Jordan, Loren White, Solomon White, Talaia Boyd,Elijah O'Neal, Shayla Boyd, Sierra Boyd; eight great-grandchildren, one brother-in-law,six sisters-in-law; and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his son, Randy Jefferson; a sister, Clara Cherry; six brothers, William, Archie, Horace, Donald, George, and Linwood. Deacon Jefferson's favorite scripture ~ Philippians 4:19 (NKJV)"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus"