Mrs. Lillian Odete Jefferson

Victory Service Celebrating The Life Of Lillian Jefferson: Saturday August 5, 1933 was an especially memorable day in Greensboro, Alabama, because it was the day the Almighty gave life to Lillian Odette Griggs. She had just become the youngest child of Charlie Griggs and Helen Thomas Griggs. Black curls turned into pigtails as she spent her days in early education within the Hale County School System. When pigtails turned into the fashionable hairdos, she wore them up north at Fairmont Heights High School, in Prince George’s County, Maryland where she graduated. Lillian put her education to good use when she began serving in an administrative capacity as unlisted personnel for the United States of America. She was employed at the Andrews Air Force Base, in Washington D.C. Andrews Air Force Base was alive with a diverse colony of decorated soldiers, but there was only one she fell in love with. When she met Air Force Sergeant Albert Jefferson Jr. she knew with whom her destiny belonged, and they married on October 4, 1951. From their union 4 loving children were born and their lives grew richer with each. For 21 years this military family lived both domestically and abroad. However, the lush palm trees, the warm ocean breeze and the salty night air made the Bermuda Isles Lillian’s most notable of residencies. When Lillian’s husband retired from the service, their family made their home in Michigan, where she found work with Children’s Hospital and the Detroit Public Schools. Lillian lived a life of service to her family, friends, neighbors, community and especially to her God and His church. She was devoted to her family, and served them with the utmost integrity, love and attention. But, since she knew no stranger and would strike up a conversation with everyone, the bond she had with her biological family became just as strong with her neighbors and church family. She was also well known for being an excellent cook who perfected an outstanding bar-b-que sauce, melt-in-your-mouth rolls and delicious cakes. The quote that reads, “One is nearer God’s heart in a garden, than anywhere else on earth,” testifies of Lillian, as she loved to garden, and harvested the biggest roses and vegetables around. It was also normal to find her challenging her mind by completing 5,000 piece jigsaw, crossword and word search puzzles. Lillian’s spiritual journey began when she gave her life to Christ while attending Third New Hope Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor G. P. Chapman and her service there as teacher, missionary society member and prayer warrior continued under the leadership of Pastor Edward L. Branch. In 1986, she joined Bountiful Blessings Deliverance Temple Church and later that year worked with Pastor Ben F. Cunningham in organizing Deliverance Temple Full Gospel Church. On October 30, 1994 she was ordained an Elder and continued her service in ministry as Sunday School Superintendent, Intercessory Prayer Leader and Outreach Minister for 18 more years. In 2012 health concerns caused her to rest from active ministry and she joined her son Pastor David L. Jefferson at Peace Baptist Church. Being filled with the Holy Spirit gave Lillian a passion for ministry that found expression outside the Church as well. She was a member of Back to Eden Ministry and Team for Jesus Prison Ministry. She routinely walked the city streets praying for Detroit and the surrounding suburbs; attended to the spiritual needs of inmates at Ionia and Ryan Road Correctional Facilities; and there were numerous accounts of her laying hands on the sick and them recovering. There were even accounts of her laying hands on faulty hospital medical equipment and them beginning to work. She was truly a mighty woman of Prayer! On Saturday, October 24, 2015, the soul of Elder Lillian Jefferson, Servant of The Lord, left her earthly abode to claim her promised mansion in heaven. Those whose lives she touched will never be the same, but we find comfort in knowing that for her to live was Christ, and to die is gain.

Mrs. Lillian Odete Jefferson

August 5, 1933 - October 24, 2015