Mrs. Josephine Roberts Jefferson was born in Springer, Oklahoma on October 13, 1916 to Theresa Gatewood Roberts and Willie Roberts. She was blessed to have seven brothers and four sisters. She was raised in Springer, Oklahoma and eventually moved to Oklahoma City. It was in Oklahoma City where she met and married Jack Howard Jefferson, her husband for 71 years. Born to this union were three daughters—Jacqueline Louise, Elwyn Regina and Deborah Eileen and one son, Edward Franklin.
Mrs. Jefferson was a consummate wife, mother and homemaker. She took care of the family and the home while her husband pursued advanced degrees in chemistry and mathematics. The family spent several years in Houston, Texas where Mr. Jefferson was on the faculty at Texas Southern. It was in Houston where Edward Franklin passed away at the age of 19 months. In 1950, the family moved to Badger Village, a small community outside Madison, Wisconsin. Mr. Jefferson commuted to the University of Wisconsin in Madison where he eventually obtained his Ph.D. in chemistry. During this time Mrs. Jefferson worked in an Army ammunition plant to help support the family. In August of 1953, the family moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana when her husband began a distinguished teaching career at Southern University. From 1953 to 1984, Mrs. Jefferson devoted her total time and attention to the care of her family. She participated in a myriad of activities at Southern University Laboratory School where the three daughters completed high school. She was active with the Alpha Wives and also played duplicate bridge with her friends. She loved sewing, reading and crafting.
In 1983, Mrs. Jefferson relocated to Las Vegas while her husband completed his final year of teaching at Southern University. She continued to enjoy sewing, reading and crafting activities supplemented with her enthusiasm for playing nickel slots in the local casinos. She never missed picking up her free gifts at her favorite places. Mrs. Jefferson’s cooking skills were phenomenal. Her gumbo was a family favorite along with her fried catfish, peach cobbler and chess pie.
Mrs. Jefferson was preceded in death by Edward Franklin Jefferson, her infant son, and husband Dr. Jack Howard Jefferson. Also preceding her in death were seven brothers—Dewitt Roberts, Cotral Roberts, Elmo Roberts, Isiah Roberts, Odell “Sandy” Roberts, Loron Roberts and Sid Roberts; and three sisters—Elree Roberts, Videll Roberts Andrews and Lillie Mae Roberts Booker.
Of the twelve siblings, one sister, Lorine Roberts McKellar Davis ( who recently celebrated her 100th birthday in Oklahoma City), is left to cherish her memory. Also surviving are her three devoted daughters-- Jacqueline Jefferson Newton, Elwyn Jefferson McGaugh (Eugene) and Deborah Jefferson-Woods, M.D. (Lee); grandchildren Jeffrey Newton (Tippi), Richard Newton (Ada), Eugene McGaugh III, Margo Olayemi (Yekini), Brooke Woods and Samantha Woods; great-grandchildren Marissa Newton, Jada Olayemi and Kenneth Hines; great-great granddaughter Amada Hines; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
