The Celebration of Life for Mr. John A. Jefferson, Sr., 86, of Orange, will be Saturday, April 1, 2023, at 11am at the Mount Calvary Baptist Church.
Rites of Christian Burial will follow at Magnolia Memorial Gardens under the direction of Sparrow Funeral Home.
Visitation will be from 10 until 11am.
Mr. John Allen Jefferson, Sr. was born in Gilbert, Louisiana on August 21, 1936, to Mr. William and Mrs. Sarah Jefferson. John, or “Mane,” as his siblings affectionately called him, was raised by his grandparents, Mr. Frank and Mrs. Hester Lynch.
He passed from life to life eternal March 27, 2023 at his residence.
John grew up in Winnsboro, Louisiana, and moved to Orange, Texas in 1955. After moving to Orange, he worked for the local Labor Union and took part in the construction of many buildings throughout the area, including the Jack Tar Orange House Hotel, Orange Federal Building, Post Office, and St. Elizabeth Hospital. John later went to work with the Brick and Layer Union in which he worked on the construction of Lamar University’s Towers dormitories and football stadium. While working with the Operator’s Local Union in Nacogdoches, Texas, John supervised the construction of Stephen F. Austin University’s Service Stations. He went on to work performing open-shop layering bricks in the Houston area where he helped construct two Target Stores and the Twin Towers Office Building on Interstate Highway 59. In 1986, John became an entrepreneur and performed many general contractor jobs throughout the Gulf Coast region. Whether it was building homes, remodelling businesses, or constructing highways, he could do it all. In 1991, John began working for the City of Orange Housing Authority in the Maintenance Department, where he was known as, “Mr. JJ,” the gentle giant. He retired from the Housing Authority in 2013. Throughout his career, he was known for his diligent work ethic, meticulous and skilled work, his kind heart, and gentle spirit. He loved working with his hands, and he could build or fix anything!
Mr. Jefferson was a Christian man who loved the Lord with his whole heart. He was a faithful member of Mount Calvary Baptist Church. He was a proud Deacon and diligent member of the Brotherhood. He loved volunteering to help repair things around the church. Anytime he believed something needed to be fixed, he would gladly come with his tool bag in hand to get to work. John was a big man with a big appetite. He loved indulging in delicious cuisines! His favorite pastime activities included eating, playing dominoes and cards, watching football, and spending time with his family. He was very loving and affectionate, and he was known to greet everyone with a warm hug and those comforting words, “Hey ‘Suga’!”
John was loved by all who came in contact with him. He would help anyone in need. His love and legacy will forever live on in the hearts and memories of his family and friends. Forever cherishing his memories are his wife, Josie, his sons, Rev. John Jefferson, Jr. (Debra) of Orange, Rev. Charles Jefferson, Sr. (Pam) of New Caney, Marcus Jefferson, Sr. (Yolonda) of Beaumont, and Xavier Jefferson of Beaumont; his daughter, Bianca Garrett (Charles) of Orange; his brother William Jefferson of Orange, and his sisters Rosemary Scott of Houston, Easter Burnette of Orange, and Hannah Majors (Ira) of Houston; 17 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren, 4 great-great grandchildren, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, neighbors, and church members.
He was preceded in death by his daughters, Sarah Jefferson Simon and Bernice Jefferson Guillory, and his grandsons, Charles Jefferson, Jr. and Rev. Herman Jefferson, Sr.
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