Minnie Lee Jefferson

~ Life Reflections ~ For her wisdom is a tree of life to those who take hold of her and happy are all who retain her. Proverbs 3:18 Florence and Novella Moore became the proud parents of their sixth child, Minnie Lee Moore on March 1, 1937, in Georgetown, Texas. She married David Lee Jefferson in 1956 and gave birth to three sons; Dennis, David and Denard. Her marriage to a military naval chief petty officer is what led her to live life in Wilmington, then Carson, California where her two youngest would be born. She was preceded by her son, Dennis, husband, David, Sisters, Ethel, Florida and Sandra Kay, brothers, Riley and Florence, and grandson, John Jefferson. She leaves in God's care her sister, Dorthula Perry, sons David and Denard Jefferson; granddaughters dJanae Jefferson and Jasmine Jefferson; along with nieces, nephews, adorable cousins, family members and friends. Minnie Lee, as her husband would call her, grew up in a family dedicated to service God. She accepted Christ as her Lord and savior, while raising her children to be followers as well. Her early faith was Catholicism, which led her to become a catechism teacher for the local Parrish, St. Philomena, in Carson. She would later join Crenshaw Christian Center, where, in spite of her ambulatory disability, her faith in God never wavered. At the age of 13, Minnie Lees parents passed away and her eldest sister, Ethel Mae, raised her in a maternal capacity. Minnie Lee loved all her siblings, but truly had a love for Mae for the motherly role she played in her life. Minnie Lee enjoyed education and was an athlete as well. She graduated from George Washington Carver High School in Georgetown, Texas and at Prairie View A&M, a historical black college in Texas, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. She loved education and was an artist in those years. Her love of athletics led her to star on the high school basketball and track team. Minnie Lee would proudly boast and show off the Texas state track championship medals she won in high school. Here comes Skinny Minnie rounding the turn on the last leg. She was a loyal Dallas Cowboys football and Los Angeles Lakers basketball fan. Upon graduating college, Minnie Lee became a long term substitute teacher for her communitys elementary school. This is where her passion for teaching, along with providing childrens needs, began. Subsequent to her 1965 California arrival, began what turned out to be a hearty forty-one year educational career in the City of Long Beach. As an enthusiastic volunteer, she began her service to Head Start children and families. She was a very proud child advocacy servant. Moving through the ranks from Teacher Volunteer, to Teacher, to Child Development Coordinator/Program Advisor, to Child Development Supervisor, to Social Services Coordinator, to Education Training Coordinator, to Site Director, to Program Director and finally Disabilities/Mental Health Services Manager, Minnie Lee has touched the lives of countless children and families. Throughout her years of employment she was lovingly referred to as Mrs. J. Through several collaborative efforts Mrs. J secured needed services and resources, while ensuring special needs children were identified and provided the benefits of a firm preschool experience. Her desire to support her own city of Carson community never faltered. She was team mother for many of her sons sports teams at Del Amo Park and Junior All-American football teams at Victoria County Park. When those Carson Rough Riders or Carson Cowboy teams came into the opposing team fields, all were in awe at the glitz and glamour the players and parents displayed. White cowboy hats, and rattle cans, everyone knew Carson was in the house. She loved that time so and became a team mother for-life to many of those girls and boys. Over many of her 48 years as a City of Carson resident, she actively resided as treasurer of the Alonda Drive Block Club. She was a major participant and organizer in her streets annual summer block party event. The entire street would get together to participate, while honoring those children on the block who had graduated from some form of educational service or training. Mrs. Jefferson was a great cook as many of those children and folks who have sat in her kitchen would attest too. She had this belief that food was love and nourished the soul. Minnie had a saying that was passed on to her by her mother, whenever one is down, we all are down. That appeared to be the driving force of her relationships. Minnie loved her sons, loved her family and generally just loved everyone with great passion. A woman that gave it all in life, she definitely made an impact and leaves us all with a heavy heart for her passing, but grateful soul for having known her. God is good. Thank you lord for allowing us to share in the life of Minnie Lee Moore-Jefferson..