Jeffrey Sansom was born February 4, 1974, in Bay Springs, Mississippi but was formerly of Erie from 6 weeks of age until adulthood. He was the younger of two sons born to Melvan and Estella Hales Sansom. Jeffrey departed this life on February 8, 2013. He joined and was baptized at the Community Missionary Baptist Church on April 6th, 1980 by the late Pastor Herliss Murphy. He was a dedicated young church worker; serving on the Youth Usher Boards, Choir and Sunday school until he left the city in 1995 to attend college. He graduated from Penn State University with a BA in Communications and Film. He settled in New York/New Jersey area after graduating and started a career in freelance videographer, playwright, and some on stage roles at the Lincoln Theater in New York. He returned to Erie on December 17, 2012 due to illness. In addition to his parents, he is survived by his beloved brother, Raphus (Alicia) Sansom, of Erie, nephews, Damian Jefferson, USAF, Jaivon Dozier of Virginia Beach, God brother and nephew, Sean Tate of Slippery Rock, nieces, Shannon of Kentucky, Quanesha and Shiara of Erie, maternal Grandmother, Katie Trotter of Laurel, Miss.; his Big Mom/Rudenia Sansom (who helped raised Jeff and Donnie along with Helene, Veronica and George, Jr.), a host of special and loving first cousins, two Godsons, Jordan and Dante Woodard of Florida. In addition, Jeff leaves a large extended loving family of nieces, nephews, cousins, great aunts, a great uncle, and many dear friends who mourn his passing. The family suggests that memorials be made to the Hopkins Pulmonary and Critical Care Division at Johns Hopkins Medical Institute, Baltimore, Maryland. Friends may call at the Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church, 327 E. 23rd St., Erie, 16503, on Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. and are invited to services there on Friday at 12:00 p.m. Burial will follow in Wintergreen Gorge Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are being made by the Russell C. Schmidt & Son Funeral Home Inc., 5000 Wattsburg Road, Erie, 16504. Please visit www.SchmidtFuneralHomeErie.com to sign the Book of Memories.
Published in the Erie Times-News on February 13, 2013
