Bonita Louise Jefferson

Welcome to all of you. I am speaking on behalf of the Jefferson family today as we celebrate the life of Mrs. Bonita Louise Jefferson.

I will do my best to represent the shared feelings of love, devotion and admiration we all felt towards Mrs. Jefferson.

In addition to your presence here, we have received numerous expressions of condolence from the many people Mrs. Jefferson touched over the years. Their descriptions of Mrs. Jefferson match those that echo in the family minds of someone who was independent, courageous, and generous.

Mrs. Jefferson did not have an easy life, but she knew love. At 17 years of age, she married the love of her life, Paul Allen Jefferson Sr. and had three children with him: Selena, Marsha and Paul, Jr. Paul and Bonita were children raising children. Mrs. Jefferson was blessed that her mother, Ruth Murdock, also helped to raise the children.

Mrs. Jefferson taught her children many things; among them:

• Punctuality – “If you’re on time, you’re late.”

• Integrity – “If you say you’re going to do something, do it.”

• Good Manners – “Having good manners never cost a thing.”

and

• Empathy – “Someone’s problem today could be yours tomorrow.”

Some of the things Mrs. Jefferson loved were: chocolate, Denver Broncos football, British tv shows like Downton Abbey, Rachel Ray, and bingo. She loved old school music by Al Green, the Isley Brothers, Gap Band and Tupac Shakur. Opium by Yves Saint Laurent was her favorite perfume.

If there was one thing Mrs. Jefferson absolutely abhorred, it was a squeezed loaf of bread. Her children would rather walk through fire before bringing home a squeezed loaf of bread because they knew she would absolutely loose it!

Mrs. Jefferson did not have many friends in her early years, but found them in her later years. She loved her friends at Sable Ridge! She would always joke that the only way she was leaving Sable Ridge is if she was dragged out of there. She would gush about her adventures with her friends: Gambling at Blackhawk, going to the movies, shopping at Walmart; dining at Village Inn and Red Lobster. Her friends gave her tremendous joy and happiness, and the family is comforted knowing that.

Mrs. Jefferson also found great joy in spending time with her brother, James Murdock III. They would reminisce for hours about the good old days and talk about politics and sports. Her devoted son-in-law, Douglas DuPree was special to her as well. Every time they saw each other they joked and laughed a lot.

Mrs. Jefferson loved her children and was proud of them. This revelation came after her passing when the family learned that she spent a lot of time talking about her children, their accomplishments, and their character. The family draws strength from knowing this.

Mrs. Jefferson loved her grandchildren, too. She loved telling everyone her granddaughter, Rachel, was a Police Officer; that Devinny and Drake were twins; and that it was uncanny how much Zilah resembled her two daughters, Selena and Marsha. She was also proud of her grandson Jonyae who has done great work with King Soopers for over 5 years now. Not to mention how proud she was of her grandson Elijah who is an outstanding automobile mechanic. Now she is reunited with all of our ancestors to include a very special granddaughter, a precious little girl named Jazelene in Heaven.

Mrs. Jefferson leaves behind one brother: James Murdock III.; three children: Selena, Marsha, and Paul; and six grandchildren: Rachel, Jonyae, Elijah, Devinny, Drake, and Zilah.

I would like to end this dedication with this poem called, “The Star.”

A light went out on Earth for me

The day we said goodbye

And on that day a star was born,

The brightest in the sky

Reaching through the darkness

With its rays of purest white

Lighting up the Heavens

As it once lit up my life

With beams of love to heal

The broken heart you left behind

Where always in my memory

Your lovely star will shine