John Dee Jeffries

The story of John Dee Jeffries began on April 2, 1948, in New Orleans, Louisiana. The son of Doris Jeffries and the late Cosmas "Moe" Jeffries, John was a student at Redemptorist High School, an all-boy Catholic school, when his life changed forever. While walking home from school one afternoon, he spotted a young girl walking in the opposite direction. That girl was Catherine Genevieve Majors, known affectionately to all as “Genny.” In that moment, a 62-year love story was born. High school sweethearts, they married on April 15, 1967, beginning a life defined by an inseparable partnership.

A Calling Answered

Initially, John sought to follow in his father’s footsteps. He enlisted in the reserves and became a fireman, with every intention of rising through the ranks to become a Fire Chief. However, a higher calling awaited. After joining Genny at her Baptist church, he didn't just find a new faith – he went "all in." With a heart surrendered to the ministry, he sold the family home and moved his young family to Mississippi to attend Clark College and later, Mississippi College. Alongside Genny, and with their children Sean, Sheri, and Courtney in tow, this began a decades-long legacy of pastoring and a lifetime of cherished friendships. His ministry took the family from New Ireland Baptist Church in Union, MS, to Lee Hill Baptist Church in Folsom, LA, and First Baptist Church of Abita Springs, finally leading to First Baptist Church of Chalmette. There, he served with deep devotion from 1990 until his retirement in 2021 – a tenure highlighted by earning his Doctor of Ministry from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Unable to stay away from the pulpit, he continued to preach for Bridgedale Baptist Church in Metairie, LA, until he fell ill in December 2022.

The Work of His Hands

John was a man who excelled at everything he touched, largely because he outworked everyone around him. Whether he was loading trucks for UPS at night, winning "Salesman of the Year" while selling insurance, or tending to a massive vegetable garden in Mississippi that his children (perhaps less enthusiastically) “helped” weed at 6:00 AM at John’s insistence because, as he put it, “this is the way people do it,” he believed in the dignity of hard work. He approached everything with a love for life, often bragging that he held the rights to the absolute best scarecrow in Mississippi, a joke he used to mask his self-proclaimed inability to live “off the grid” and grow food for his family.

His creativity was as boundless as his work ethic. An accomplished painter in his early years, he later channeled his entrepreneurial spirit into a book publishing business, helping over 200 Christian authors bring their voices to the world.

A Beautiful Partnership

If you saw John, you saw Genny. They were true companions – from opening a counseling practice together to singing at the top of their lungs on road trips. They shared a love for the "obscure," often wandering off the beaten path to find local restaurants and hidden gems. A lifelong highlight was their trip to Israel, a gift from his congregation that allowed him to walk the lands he spent his life preaching about.

The Legacy

To know John was to know a man of unwavering trust. Even as he navigated the challenges of Parkinson’s and the loss of his beloved Genny in 2024, his refrain never wavered. He lived by a simple, profound truth that he leaves as a legacy to his family and his community: "Trust the Lord."

John passed away peacefully on August 24, 2026, at the age of 78, surrounded by the family he loved so dearly. He leaves us with a celebration in our hearts and a reminder of his favorite joyful declaration: “God is Good all the time; all the time God is Good! Hip Hip Hallelujah!”

Survived By: John is survived by his mother, Doris Jeffries; his siblings Scott Jeffries (Kathy), Glenn Jeffries (Linda), Terry Fielding (Rick), and Kelly Bates (Mark); his children, Sean Jeffries, Sheri Jeffries Bankston, and Courtney Jeffries; his grandchildren Hadley Guillot (Matt), Dylan Fuller, Nathaniel Bankston (Michelle), Emily Bankston, Sadie Fuller, and Catherine Bankston; and his great-grandchildren Margaret and Evelyn. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Genny, and his father, Cosmas "Moe" Jeffries.

Services: The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Fidelis King Richard for their compassionate care during John’s final days. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation at First Baptist Church Chalmette on August 29, 2026, from 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM, followed by a celebration of John’s life at 11:00 AM. He will be laid to eternal rest in St. Bernard Memorial Gardens.

In memory of John, please consider a donation to the Parkinson's Foundation at www.parkinson.org.