Willadine and Jonathan Jefferies

Jonathan Grant Jefferies, 84, and Willadine Pierce Jefferies, 83, were a rare couple. Married 61 years, they died within days of one another. John Jefferies went to be with the Lord on Nov 23, 2016. Two days later Willadine entered hospice and died on Nov. 29, 2016. The couple were married on Nov. 21, 1955 at First Baptist Church of Palmetto. Their courtship began as John recovered from breaking his back while serving in the U.S Navy as a mechanic. Willadine visited him in the VA hospital and admired John’s strength, perseverance and attitude. To honor her weekly treks across Tampa Bay to the hospital, John proposed to her at the top of the Skyway Bridge. John Jefferies, a talented mechanic with an ability to fix almost anything, owned Jefferies Service Center in Bradenton. After a short retirement, during which the couple traveled, he returned to work at Harllee Packing, Inc. as a mechanic. Willadine Jefferies of Palmetto taught first grade and reading at Palmetto Elementary for 26 years.

John was born July, 24, 1932 in Bradenton and graduated from Manatee High School. Willadine was born Dec. 2, 1932 in Palmetto and graduated from Palmetto High School. She earned her teaching degree at Florida State University. The couple were lifelong members of First Baptist Church of Palmetto where they were active with Sunday School and with youth groups.

They are survived by their two sons Grant (Toni) of Bradenton and David of Palmetto, their grandchildren, Jonathon of Palmetto and Laurie (Eric) Voight of Bradenton and two great grandchildren. John’s brother Edward (Kay) of Tallahassee and his sister Louise Allerton (Tom) of Altamonte Springs. Willadine was predeceased by her sister Virginia Pierce.

Visitation and services for the couple will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at First Baptist Church of Palmetto. Memorial donations may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research at www.michaeljfox.org.