Willie "Jay" Jefferson, Jr

                                                                                Willie “Jay” Jefferson Jr.  Life Reflections

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die.” Ecclesiastes 3:1             “To God Be the Glory”

Willie “Jay” Jefferson Jr. answered God’s call from labor to reward on December 6, 2022, at Trident Regional Hospital. “Jay” as he is known by most was born on February 11, 1947, to the late Willie Jefferson and Elizabeth P. Jefferson. He was the first of five children; always claiming that he raised the rest of his siblings. Jay accepted Christ at an early age and was a lifelong member of Mt. Pisgah AME.  His first school experience was in the old Mt. Pisgah Church School. Growing up in the church he attended Sunday School and sang on the choir Jay was educated in the public schools of Berkeley County. He was a 1966 graduate of Central High School. He received a football scholarship to Limestone College but decided to join the U. S. Army instead.

In the early nineties he married Mary “Marge” Jefferson and was blessed with three stepsons. He was very proud of those boys and constantly bragged about their accomplishments. He was a proud Veteran and told hundreds of military stories of his career as a soldier. He especially bragged about being one of the Top Chef for Uncle Sam. After his military service Jay moved to New York and lived there for most of his early adult life. From his tales of New York City you would swear that he knew everyone. He told great stories about the Big Apple. If you knew him as “Broadway” you ran the streets with him in New York.  If you called him “Big Jay” you were family or friends from Pringletown and other parts of South Carolina.  Jay never met a stranger and would have a conversation with anyone that would respond to him.

Jay was a jack of all trades and a master at some. He dabbled in many industries: Butcher’s Assistant, Carpet Layer, Racetrack Chef, Construction Crew, Infamous Number Runner, and recently retired as Head of Security at “The Grease Trap.” Jay always had a side-hustle going. You could find him on most days selling his goods and wears throughout the community. He was larger than life and had a personality that everyone loved. He was amusing and always kept something going to entertain family and friends. It was how he showed LOVE.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his ex-wife Mary “Marge” Jefferson, Stepsons; Damon Jefferson, Jamie Jefferson, and Tracey Jefferson (who preceded him in death) Murfreesboro, Tennessee, adopted son, Kenny Farmer Walterboro, SC; siblings, Rev. Harold Jefferson, Shedrick (Shelby) Jefferson; Shelly (Vickman) Green, Genell J. Tarte, all of Ridgeville, SC, brother in law, Levirn Tarte, Summerville, SC; Aunts, Maeola Pringle, East Orange, New Jersey, Shirley Pringle, Ridgeville, SC, Uncle, Howard Gadis, Ridgeville. SC, Lifelong friends and classmates Heyward Boyd and Daniel Rivers, Ridgeville, SC; A caring a devoted friend Emma Wilson of Holly Hill, SC, a special and committed longtime friend Cynthia Farmer of Walterboro, SC. Along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

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