Watecia Wroten-Jefferson

On Wednesday, September 9, 2026, Watecia “Tika” Youndell Wroten Jefferson peacefully departed this life at Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital. The angels visited Tika and gently escorted her from this earthly life into the presence of her Heavenly Father. She peacefully surrendered and entered her eternal home.

Tika was born on May 7, 1981, to the proud parents of Glenda Ann Wroten and George Braxton. She was the second oldest of six children.

Tika was a devoted student of the Word of God, and she loved the Lord deeply. She was never ashamed of her faith and embraced every opportunity to share God’s Word with those around her.

An exceptional student, Tika spent her high school years in Monroe, Louisiana. She first attended Ouachita High School, where she participated in ROTC. She later transferred to Wossman High School and joined the school choir. Tika ultimately graduated from Carroll High School as a member of the Class of 2000.

Tika continued her education at the University of Phoenix while living in Atlanta, Georgia, where she earned an associate degree. She later earned her Certified Nursing Assistant credential in Mesquite, Texas, and devoted herself to caring for others.

In 2015, Tika moved to Houston, Texas—home to one of the largest and most diverse medical communities in the world. When the COVID-19 pandemic created critical staffing shortages in healthcare facilities throughout the country, Tika answered the call to serve as a traveling healthcare professional. During her more than 13 years in the nursing field, she traveled across the United States, compassionately caring for people during some of their most vulnerable moments.

Tika had an enormous heart and reached out to countless people. Her compassion extended beyond the medical field; whenever she encountered someone in need, she wanted to help. She possessed a genuine passion for people and embodied the spirit described by the Apostle Paul in Philippians 2:3–4:

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”

Tika was not only an exceptional academic student; she was also a student of life. She loved traveling, exploring new places, tasting different foods, and learning about other cultures.

In August 2023, Tika met the love of her life, Jesse Jefferson Jr. They were united in marriage in August 2024. During two beautiful years of marriage, they lived and loved a lifetime.

Tika was preceded in death by her father, George Braxton; her grandparents, Jimmy and Lonnie Mae Wroten and Susie Braxton; and her nephew, Kaleb Jaheim Knight.

She leaves to cherish her memory her beloved husband, Jesse Jefferson, Jr. of Houston, Texas; two daughters, A’lonnie Bates of Conroe, Texas, and Angelique Glenn of Monroe, Louisiana; three grandchildren, Kaidence Bates, Haylei Bates, and Kaleis Jackson, all of Conroe, Texas; her loving mother, Glenda Wroten of Spring, Texas; two sisters, NaShonda (Ollie) Wroten-Allen of Houston, Texas, and Nikkesamone Ball of Phoenix, Arizona; and three brothers, Thomas Wroten of Monroe, Louisiana, Rashaad Terrill Studivant of Lansing, Michigan, and Dempsey Ball of Delhi, Louisiana.

Through her marriage to Jesse, she was also blessed with three bonus children: two sons, Jaheim Jefferson, currently stationed in Australia, and Jaquan Jefferson of Monroe, Louisiana; and one daughter, Tyana Jefferson of Monroe, Louisiana.

She also leaves her sister-in-law, Karen Jefferson, and brother-in-law, Darryl Jefferson, both of Monroe, Louisiana; special friends Michelle (Shedrick) Alexander of Monroe, Louisiana, Nicole Sterling of Atlanta, Georgia, and Tye Harris of Mesquite, Texas; and a host of loving aunts, uncles, extended family members, and cherished friends.

Visitation will be held at Carl Barnes Funeral Home, Inc, 746 W 22nd Street, Houston, TX 77008, US, on September 26, 2026, from 9:00 am to 9:55 am, followed by the Funeral Service at the same location on September 26, 2026, from 10:00 am to 11:30 am.

A Committal Service will take place at Paradise Cemetery North, 10401 West Montgomery, Houston, TX 77088, US, on September 26, 2026, from 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm.