Shirley Jefferson

Shirley Mary Jefferson, daughter of the late Ortman H. Townsend and Antonia Picot, passed on to eternal life on the evening of April 13, 2020 at Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas, TX, at the tender age of 83 years young.

Shirley was born December 17, 1936 in New Orleans, LA. She was the seventh child born in a total of eight siblings.

As a young girl Shirley attended St. Raymond Elementary School and was an active member of St. Raymond Catholic Church.

At the tender age of 21, she fell in love and married Jules Jefferson, a hard working construction worker who was also from the New Orleans area. In the years following she gave birth to two sons and a daughter.

Shirley was an active member of her community, working in the laundry facility department of the Lafon Nursing home, located on the campus of The Sisters of the Holy Family. She was a devoted hard worker with a servant's heart and was always there to lend a hand willingly. She retired in the year 2002.

In 2005 Shirley moved to Rockwall, TX where she continued to enrich lives with her nurturing support to her loving family.

Shirley is survived by her oldest sister Rita DuVernay of Hacienda Heights, CA; son Brian Jefferson of Rockwall, TX; son Jerome Jefferson of Murfreesboro, TN and daughter Donna Jefferson of Rockwall, TX. Her four grandchildren include, Jarrad, Jarrel, Hinako and Misa Jefferson, along with a host of loving and devoted nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Shirley was a gentle soul that loved life and could often be heard singing aloud to her favorite Elvis Presley tunes. She had a playful spirit and brought smiles and joy to any room she walked in.

Shirley was an angel on earth and is now safe in the arms of our Father in Heaven. She will be missed and forever in our thoughts and prayers.

Funeral services are private and held on April 24 at Charles W. Smith & Sons Funeral Home of Lavon, TX with private burial.