Freddie Stebbins Jefferson

Miss you always Mama!!

I met Freddie the summer that she attended a summer program for high school English teacher at Stetson University, where I was an assistant teacher for her course. I so enjoyed knowing her and talking with her that summer--1963, 1964? Just now, as I went through old files, I came across an editorial that she had written for the Palm Beach newspaper that had been reprinted in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Her subject was her excitement in the fall, the season of preparing lesson plans...

This is an original pencil sketch that my Mother, Laura Collie did on January 21, 1998 of Stebbins Jefferson. Of interest as she had just broken her artist, right hand and did this with her left hand. If any family member would like the original as a gift contact me at 561-627-2299

I will always remember and cherish your words that unless we strive for excellence, we will have to accept mediocrity as our due.

I thank you Ms Jefferson for instilling in me the passion for knowledge that I carry to this day more than 44 years after having you as my english teacher at Lincoln Middle/High School.

My prayers go out to the Jefferson family. I had the honor being one of her students at the 45th Street Campus of PBCC. It was a Speech class and I will forever treasure the memories of that class. She was a caring and honest teacher who opened up her soul and shared it with the class. I now have a daughter who plans to become a teacher and I hope and pray she turns out like Mrs. Jefferson.

I am a better writer today because of Ms. Jefferson. She also instilled in me a love of literature. Her family remain in my thoughts and prayers. A grateful member of JFK Class of 1965...

I am so sorry to hear this news. I LOVED reading Ms. Jefferson's beautifully written, passionate, intelligent and just plain smart musings.
My thoughts and prayers are with her family.

To the Jefferson Family,

I grew up reading the Mrs. Jefferson's columns as a high School student. I can remember my mother pointing out stories she had written for me to read. Although, I didn't know her personally, her name and work were a fixture in our home. She will truly be missed.