BENNY JEFFERSON was born on October 28, 1934 in Dermott, Arkansas to the
late Leon Jefferson and Mabel Brenda Jefferson. He departed this life on
December 4, 2019 at Brookdale Hospital Medical Center. He was preceded in
death by his brothers, Leon Jefferson, Lavelle Jefferson, Bobby Jefferson, Ronnie
Jefferson, sister, Regenia McCoy.
Benny attended school in Dermott, Arkansas and later moved to Manhattan and
completed his education in the New York City School System.
As a little boy Benny made a guitar and taught himself how to play. Later he
attended classes to better his skills as a musician. He also played bass, piano, and
drums. He mastered guitar and played for artists of his time such as Baby
Washington, The Show Stoppers, James Brown, and B. B. King.
He gave his life to Christ at an early age under the late Reverend Douglas Pugh of
Grace Baptist Church in the early 1960’s. The family moved to Brooklyn and
joined The New Frontier Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Dr. John
Quincy Adams in August 13, 1975. Benny was under the leadership of Pastor
William H. Foreman at the time of his passing.
He met and married his wife Mary in 1974. Benny chose to stop playing his guitar
in the night clubs because God spoke to him and told him that he should use his
talents to serve Him. Benny brought his talents to the church. He was a jack of all
trades- handy man, auto mechanic, artist, carpenter, musician/composer, owned a
television repair shop, made his own radio, cabinets, furniture and renovated six
apartments in his building. He set up the mic system in The New Frontier Baptist
Church and made the planters in the front of the pulpit.
Benny was a loyal, reliable, and hardworking member of this church. He could
always be counted on to show up, do service for the Lord and mind his own
business.
Those left to cherish his loving memory are his devoted wife of 45 years, Mary;
two sons, Tony Jefferson and Bobby Jefferson; four daughters, Brenda Armstrong,
Bennie Jefferson-Page, Valerie Jefferson-McCall (Doretha), and Nicole Jefferson
(Russell); two brothers, Fred Jefferson (Barbara), Cornell Jefferson; sisters,
Bernetta Logan (Perry), Charlotte Williams (Larry), Loretta Jefferson, Maeonis
Burrowes (Torrence), and LaRue Beatty; three grandchildren, nine great
grandchildren; one uncle and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He
was preceded in death by his daughter, Renee Jefferson-Brooks. We love you
dearly Benny. You will truly be missed.