“Daddy, Sonny, Pops, Tom Tom, Mr. Jefferson, Jeff, Granddaddy & Big Daddy”
Thomas Jefferson Sr., affectionately known as “Daddy”, was born September 1, 1925 to the parentage of Giles & Mable Grey Jefferson in Avalon, Texas near Italy/Ennis. He passed away peacefully, surrounded by his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren on October 26, 2019.
“Tithes are to help the church, giving is helping others”
Daddy attended Rankin Bottom School in East Texas until his 10th grade year and later received his GED. Being the giving, God fearing man that he was, he touched many lives during his 94 years. He believed in tithing of everything he made. Daddy always said, ”You do not tithe to be blessed but you tithe out of obedience and because you must put God first.” He was passionate about helping others. If he heard of a need he would handle it. In fact, at an early age, Daddy left his East Texas home for Dallas so he could move his mom and other family members out of sharecropping and helped to establish them as homeowners in the Dallas area. He was proud to live in the Hamilton Park community.
“Someone may have more education, but they can never out work me”
Daddy served in the United States Navy for two years and was rewarded with the Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal and Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal. He was honorably discharged January 20, 1946. After his discharge from the Navy as a Steward Third Class, Daddy worked for a small meat company then landed a position at Hormel. While at Hormel, he served as a shop steward and also as Local Union President and aided in acquiring benefits for many workers. He retired from Hormel after 35 years. Daddy believed “a man should work”, so while at Hormel he was also a taxi driver, a bar tender and an entrepreneur. He owned a small janitorial business which provided employment opportunities for a lot of people over the years. He seldom missed any days at work. In his limited free time, he loved to play and watch the game of baseball along with attending his children’s and grandchildren’s school, church or sporting events.
“Being a Jefferson better mean something to you”
Daddy met and married the love of his life, Dave Ella Kyles. He tells the story that he went to Rising Star Baptist Church in West Dallas so he could meet a “Pretty Kyles Girl.” After asking Dave Ella’s father, Mr. Dave Kyles, to court her they were engaged to be married shortly thereafter. Daddy & Mutt Dea both came from large families so naturally they wanted to create a big family of their own. They bought their first house in West Dallas on Ladd Street then another house on Rutz Street. In 1956, Daddy and Mutt Dea moved to Hamilton Park (12548 Rialto) in order to give their kids more opportunities and to “move on up.” Their goal was to have at least ten children, and they were blessed with eight: Thomas ”TJ” (Mary), Michael (Mary), Mable (Jimmie), David (Karen), Paul, Sylvia, Lorenza (Robin) and Gary but welcomed many more into their home. Kevin Murphy (Sherie), of course was the youngest “bro” that spent as much time at our house as he did at home next door. Daddy always proudly told us, “Remember you are a Jefferson.”
“Keep God first and let Him bless others through you”
Daddy & Mutt Dea always put God first in everything they did, including introducing all their children to Christ. In the late 1960s, The Jefferson family joined First Baptist Church of Hamilton Park under the leadership of Dr. J. Lee Foster. Until recently, he always attended Sunday School and church and was proud to serve under Pastor Dr. Gregg Foster. Daddy had a saying, “If you stay in our house, you are going to church.” So all relatives and guests coming to our house knew to bring church clothes. While at First Baptist Church of Hamilton Park, he served as the Chairman of the Finance Team, the Usher Board Coordinator, the Bus Ministry and the Deacon’s Ministry for many years. Daddy and Mutt Dea were instrumental in blessing so many young aspiring ministers from Bishop College by providing motherly and fatherly conversations and home cooked meals every Sunday and Wednesday. They believed in always being a blessing to others. Additionally, education was a strong belief in the Jefferson household. The rule was set that everyone in the house must go to college for at least two years.
“Stay together as a family, no matter what happens”
Daddy & Mutt Dea shared 55 loving years together until she passed away in 2002. Daddy is preceded in death by his parents, Giles and Mable Grey Jefferson, wife Dave Ella Jefferson and daughter Sylvia Jefferson Harris. Daddy’s parents had 5 children each before they remarried. Four of the last set of Jefferson siblings: Annie, John, Melba and Jewel preceded him in death. Daddy’s five Gooden siblings (Sammie, Rosie, Joseph, Willie, Mary) all preceded him in death. The first set of Jeffersons also preceded him in death. Thomas Jefferson Sr. “Daddy” leaves to cherish wonderful memories with his 7 children, 22 grandchildren, 36 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren and a host of others that adopted him as “Daddy.”
“Tough times come and go, but family sticks through it and put up with each other”
-Daddy-
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, November 2, 2019 at First Baptist Church Hamilton Park, 300 E Phillips St, Richardson, Texas 75081. Interment will follow at Restland Cemetery, 13005 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, Texas. The family will receive friends during a visitation on Saturday one hour prior to the service at the church.
Daddy and Mutt Dea stressed education, so please consider a scholarship donation to First Baptist Church Hamilton Park in the name of Dave Ella and Thomas Jefferson scholarship.