Obituary of James Thomas Jefferson

James Thomas Jefferson Sr., the son of the late Lucy Johnson, was born June 17, 1946, in Baltimore, MD. At an early age, accepted Christ, and began preaching at the age of 14. He was a member of St. Paul's Baptist Church, in Baltimore, on East 23rd Street. It was his love for God, and being in the house of the Lord, that made it possible for him to meet the love of his life, Lynda Morris. They would go on to share in 48 years of marriage and three children together. Reverend James Jefferson Sr. was employed at various companies, while living in Baltimore, such as, Sanai Hospital, Sparrows Point, and Aletha McCrimmon Funeral Home, to name a few. He would later move his family to Richmond, VA, and join Little Mount Zion Baptist Church. Desiring, what he felt would be a better life for his family, he packed them up, once again, and moved them to Powhatan, VA. It was there, where he became the Pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Petersville Baptist Church, Greenbrier Baptist Church, and Rising Zion Baptist Church. In addition to pastoring, he would also share his gift of preaching and playing the piano at surrounding churches, as well as singing with his wife. Reverend J, Rev, Poppa J, as many called him, loved helping others. Though he was short in stature, he had the biggest heart. Whenever called upon, for whatever need, he was there. He would run himself ragged, for the sake of others. He enjoyed fishing, spending time with family and friends, preaching, and playing the piano. Though, the most joy came from being with his grandchildren. Whereas many men would shy away from babies, and prefer to wait until they are walking, he would jump right in…Making up silly songs to sing to them. Reverend Jefferson remained very active, despite his failing health. His ability to bounce back from what would knock most people down, would amaze his family, friends, and doctors. However, 2018/19 would prove to be too much for him. He would find himself in the hospital, repeatedly, fighting numerous infections. He continued to fight, with the hopes that he would eventually overcome his health issues, as he had so many times before, but even the mighty fall, at some point. His body began to breakdown, at a rapid rate, and wouldn't recover. He entered Johnston Willis Hospital on Tuesday, November 26, 2019, with the blood running warm through his veins, but would leave on Saturday, November 30th, 2019, after the cold hand of death paid him a visit. He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife, Lynda Evelyn Jefferson, three children: Earl Leroy Jefferson (Keyshia), Dene' LaTonya Saunders (Clarence), James Thomas Jefferson Jr., Seven grandchildren; Damien Grant (Ronnie), Kahlil Saunders, Joy Jefferson, James Jefferson III, Kahlan Saunders, Kimaya Saunders, Dene' Jefferson, one sister; Bernice Johnson, two sisters-in-law; Charlotte Jefferson, and Brenda Jefferson, five God children; Rodney Davenport, Felencia Brown, Emily Smythe, Toccara Paige, and Leroy Brown, 30 nieces and nephews, and a host of family, and devoted friends.