Jesse Jay Jefferson

  Jesse Jay Jefferson Jr.   Jesse Jay Jefferson Jr., born on June 13, 1935 in Houston, Texas, to the late Rena Mae Williams and the late Jesse Jay Jefferson Sr., passed away at age 83 on March 17, 2019. Jay was the only son born to Rena and Jesse. Jay had five sisters; Lillian, Portia, Joyce Helen, Maude and Mae. During his early years, his family attended Mount Vernon Methodist Church in 5th Ward. He graduated from Wheatley High School in 1956. While in high school Jay became an accomplished alto saxophonist and played in the Wheatley High School band. From 1957 to 1960, Jay served in the US Army. While in the Army, he traveled to Germany and other countries. In Germany, he taught himself photography and became a jazz enthusiast. When Jay returned to the states, he met the love of his life, Frankie Lee Mayo. They had three girls, Wanda, Sheryl and Latricia. He also raised his niece, Mitzi Hutchinson. During this time, Jay was working extremely long hours in the trucking industry. He started at the bottom and over the years he worked his way up to Vice President of Operations at Coastal Transportation and remained in that position until he retired. The family attended Love United Methodist Church in northeast Houston where they lived for many years. While working at Coastal, Jay discovered a new hobby. His boss and long-time friend introduced him to classic, vintage and antique cars. Mr. Bob Atwell and Jay traveled all over the country buying, selling and collecting cars. After all the girls left home, Frankie and Jay moved to southeast Houston and joined Riverside United Methodist Church. When Jay retired, he decided to renovate one room at the church that would become a study area and game room for the youth in the community. He outfitted the room with desktop computers, laptops, books, games and a pool table. Jay taught himself to program, repair and operate all the different computer systems. He spent numerous hours each day making sure the computers were working and up-to-date. Jay held various positions within the church; he was the church maintenance man, an usher, church historian, visited the sick and shut-in, prayer group member and a member of the Board of Trustees and United Methodist Men.   Jay was preceded in death by his sisters, Lillian Dolphin, Portia Samuels, Mae Kizzee and Maude Jefferson and grandchild, Ericka M. Bookman. Jay is survived by his daughters, Latricia D. Jefferson, Wanda D. Smith, and Sheryl J. Bookman; sister, Joyce Helen Nelson; grandchildren, Frankie D. Smith, Jason S. Bookman, and Jared A. Davis; great-grandchildren, Jaidyn J. Davis and Chance Taylor; nieces, Rena Lanette Nelson, Pamela Kizzee Moguel and Paula Kizzee; and nephew, Reginal Samuels, along with a host of other nieces, nephews, friends and family.   Friends and family members may attend the visitation on Tuesday, March 26 from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at Riverside United Methodist Church, 4920 Cullen, Houston. Following that, there will be a celebration of life, officiated by Pastor Lee Elder, from 11:00 to 12:00 p.m. at Riverside United Methodist Church. Carl Barnes Funeral Home is handling arrangements, 746 W 22nd Street, Houston, 713-869-4529.