Obituary of Lynda Evelyn Jefferson

OBITUARY - LYNDA EVELYN JEFFERSON Lynda Evelyn Jefferson, the daughter of the late Earl Leroy Morris and Doris Virginia Morris, was born on July 18, 1952, in Baltimore, Maryland. Lynda was the eighth of ten children. At an early age, she discovered her ability and passion to sing, bringing joy to all who heard her. She sang in the school choir, and then with the gospel group, The Sacred Jewels, a group she created with her cousins Debbie and Cathy. Lynda spent most of her time performing at many churches either as a soloist, or a member of the various groups she joined. It was church, where she would meet her future husband, the late Reverend James Thomas Jefferson, Sr. Lynda, and Reverend Jefferson would go on to become a dynamic and powerful duo; Lynda singing, Reverend Jefferson preaching, and sometimes they sang a duet, always bringing the church down! Lynda shared three children with Reverend Jefferson, Earl, Denè, and James Jr. They eventually moved from Baltimore, Maryland to Richmond, Virginia, and later to Powhatan, Virginia. Moving to a new state didn't hinder her from continuing with her singing, and she quickly became one of the most sought-after singers for all occasions. During this time, she and Reverend Jefferson formed a gospel group, The Jefferson Gospel Singers, which consisted of the parents and their three children. Denè quickly decided that she didn't want to sing, as she was very shy, and the youngest, James Jr., would soon follow. Not discouraged, Lynda found three other singers to join, and they would go on to make a record. In addition to singing, Lynda loved to cook and bake. She and Reverend Jefferson catered a lot of events, and she also baked and decorated many cakes for weddings and other occasions. Lynda's beautiful smile, heart, and voice will definitely be missed by many. She leaves to cherish her memory, her children: Earl, Denè, James Jr., grandchildren; Damien, Kahlil, Joy, James III, Kahlan, Kimaya, and Denè, great-granddaughter; Nouri, siblings; Donald and Brenda, aunt; Leola, sisters-in-law; Bernice and Charlotte, godmother; Mama Jackie, godchildren; Rodney, Felencia, Emily, Toccara, and Leroy, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and church family.