Jerry Dell Jefferson

Jerry Jefferson, 57, departed this life on Tuesday, September 28, 2021, in Hammond, Indiana.

Jerry was born October 15, 1963, in Pelahatchie, Mississippi, to Eva Mae Jefferson (Evans) and Albert James Jefferson. He was a night auditor in the hotel industry as well as a personal fitness trainer.

He had made Hammond his home for thirteen years and would visit his family in Mississippi quite often. Prior to his passing, Jerry was working on a plan to retire to Mississippi where he would be closer to family and friends. He never married but was a devoted and loving uncle to Candice Jefferson-Haymer, his oldest niece, who he loved as his own daughter, and to a host of other nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.

Jerry graduated from Pelahatchie High School in 1981 where he enjoyed playing the clarinet in his high school marching band. He went to college after graduation and throughout his life earned multiple associates degrees in business and earned his certification in personal fitness. During his early years, Jerry pursued various career interests, such as a newspaper reporting, that showcased his admirable skills as a writer and as an articulate speaker.

Jerry was a Christian who gave his life to the Lord at an early age. He was very passionate about his faith and would have long telephone discussions with his sisters, Audrey Washington (Mississippi) and Tammy Threatts (Louisiana) about his views on the Bible and current world events. His knowledge of the Bible during these turbulent times provided comfort and tranquility for himself and to those he witnessed to.

He is preceded in death by his father, Albert James Jefferson; his grandparents, Cozetta Jefferson, Fred Jefferson, Mattie Lee Evans, and Levy Evans; his Uncle Leroy Evans (Las Vegas, Nevada), his Aunt Shirley Gaston (James Gaston), his Uncle Willie Nickelberry (Theola Nickelberry), his Great-Aunt Eunice Spann (Eugene Spann), and his Uncle James Jefferson (Pelahatchie, MS). His surviving family members are his mother, Eva Mae Jefferson-Richardson (Jerry Richardson), his sister, Tammy Threatts (Louisiana) and Audrey Washington (Byram, MS), his Aunt Theola Nickelberry (Brandon, MS), his Uncle Leon Evans (Las Vegas, Nevada), his Uncle “Benny” Jefferson, his Uncle Johnny Jefferson, his Uncle Freddie Jefferson, his Aunt Emmer Jean Hoard, his cousin Jerome McLaurin (Selena McLaurin), whom he was a big brother to, and a host of other cousins that he loved. As Jerry grew older, he nurtured relationships with many of his nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was pleased with and proud of Douglas Washington (Byram, MS), Katavius Moore (Byram, MS) and Sydney Threatts (Broussard, LA) for carrying on his love of music and singing as they participated in their high school marching bands and/ or college choir.

Jerry, you will be missed dearly. But you can rest now and know that God called you home because you had fulfilled your purpose in life: you uplifted, supported, nurtured, counseled, and witnessed to many families and friends. May you rest forever in Jesus’ arms.

A memorial service will be held at Dean’s Funeral Home in Brandon, Mississippi. Time and date to be announced later. A special thanks goes out to Mrs. Annie Crump and Nicole of Hammond, Indiana, who worked with Jerry at Best Western and who befriended and cared for him like a son and a brother.

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