Katie Marie Jefferson

Born in Millington, TN to Clarence Jefferson, Sr. and Eddie Mae Herron Jefferson, she was the third of eleven brothers and sisters. She loved being Joanne’s and Jeff’s little sister, and although she was the smallest, she loved being the “big sister” to her seven little brothers and baby sister, Margaret (RIP). Katie was a family woman in good and bad times and protective of those she loved, until the end.

She left Millington and married Francel Mangle Jones, Jr, with whom she had her first two children, Francel Mangle Jones, III and Michael Jones. After divorcing, she then had her only daughter, Pattie Ann Jefferson (Trysh) with her “friend to the end”, Stanton Beale. She was the ultimate Mom. She always said that her kids came first, last and always…then she could think of herself. She was tireless – running from football practice, track meets, basketball games, plays, pageants and whatever whim came to either of her children. She somehow managed to be in all places, all the time and never missing any accomplishment of any of her children. She was determined to be there and she was. She made being a Mom look like fun and she was skilled and crafty.

From a young girl in Tennessee to Orange County, Seattle and Los Angeles, she was a fighter. She never feared speaking her mind or fighting for what she thought was right and fair. She came into the schools to address biases and abuses against Black students and fighting for African American books to show our accomplishments when she saw they only wanted us to write on Americans who looked nothing like us. In Seattle, she worked full-time and then came home and worked into the night to get the Title I reading program instituted into the schools. She was determined that we all had the same level of education as those with more money and opportunity. She cared about young people no matter who they were.

With all of that, she always managed to stay politically active. She believed it was our responsibility to be involved and at least put forth an effort to make a difference. She ran the Jesse Jackson for President Campaign in Orange County, made a point to get to a campaign office each election to give her time and work. And she was proud that she never missed an election, no matter how small. She was proudest that she worked to help elect President Barack Obama and that she was blessed to see that day. She was a strong woman of action.

Katie is survived by her three children, her four grandchildren, Ashanti Monique Kennedy, Kashina Marie Jones, Stanton DeVante’ Ellison, Marqwyn Aaron Jones and her great grandchildren, Kali Tajnet, KylicRae Allen Ezzo. She leaves behind family and friend who love her and will miss her dearly.

May she Rest in Peace and Paradise.

Katie Marie Jefferson of Anaheim, California passed away on August 6, 2015. Services will be held on Wednesday, August 12, 2015 at 9:30 am in the Westminster Memorial Park Main Chapel. Arrangements under the direction of Westminster Memorial Park, 14801 Beach Blvd. Westminster, California 92683. (714) 893-2421