Derrick Lowell "Kwasi" Jeffries

Derrick Lowell Jeffries "Kwasi" (Swahili meaning - 'Born on Sunday') was born on Sunday, February 23, 1958, at East Orange General Hospital, East Orange, NJ. He was proudly welcomed as the blessed third child from the marital union of Jesse Jeffries, Jr. and Elaine Scott Lomax Jeffries. He left this earthly life in August 2023.
His elder brothers were identical twins, Douglas and Darryl Jeffries and his younger brother Jesse Scott Jeffries, rounded out the family unit of four boys. Being the third sibling, Derrick's journey was difficult and challenging as he was impacted by the classic 'middle child' syndrome. He became a strong willed, free spirited 'prodigal son' who did life his way despite the consequences.
He was a proud native son of the City of East Orange and a product of the East Orange School District. He attended Elmwood Elementary School, Vernon L Davey Junior High School, Oratory Prep School, Montclair High School and East Orange High School.
Following in the footsteps of his older brothers, he was a member of Pack 8 Cub Scouts and Troop 8 Boy Scouts of America. As a gifted and talented trumpeter and musician he was a member of the East Orange High School Marching Band.
His formative development in the music business and fortuitous relationship with his friend Stevie Washington, led him to tour with popular R&B and Funk Bands Slave and Aura, founded by Washington. As an avid jazz fan he worked with his twin brothers in their promotion and production company Crossroads East International presenting world class jazz artists in concert and club dates.
He was also a fixture at the Annual Men of Essex Golf Classic for more than 25 years, providing patrons and sponsors with his signature brand of recorded music for the registration and brunch portion of the day's festivities and support for other activities throughout the day.
Derrick had a high aptitude for electronic, computer and multimedia technology and would often provide his expertise to produce archival jazz and R&B CD compilations and archival DVD's for family and friends.
He was an avid student of African History and Culture under the tutelage of his cousin distinguished Africanna Studies professor and elder Dr. Leonard Jeffries. Derrick would manufacture CD and DVD copies for sale in support of Dr. Jeffries speaking engagements.
As a follower of the Christian faith, Derrick was a member of Union Baptist Church, Orange, N.J. He was baptized by Reverend J. Vance McIver, Senior Pastor.
Derrick loved his family and maintained constant contact with relatives and often served as the in - house obituary service, reporting first on the passing of relatives and friends. Throughout his life he faced a litany of physical and medical challenges.
Derrick was predeceased by his longtime companion, Erica Ralph, his parents, Jesse and Elaine Jeffries, his brother, Jesse Scott Jeffries, his sister-in-law, Francine Jeffries, and his beloved cousin Sandra Harris.
He leaves to cherish his memory: his twin brothers, Douglas Lamont (Mary), Hillsborough, NJ and Darryl LeRoy, Montclair, NJ; cousin | brother, Dennis Motley (Linda), Piscataway, NJ; beloved aunts, Barbara Agneu and Delores Ussery, Detroit, MI; cousins, Bernard Harris, Detroit, MI, Wendell Jones, Detroit, MI, James Maddox (Margaret) Atlanta, GA, Delores Tyson, Orange, NJ; niece, Maya Dowdell Jeffries; nephew, Mancie Rouse; cousins, Willie H. Maddox, Gwendolyn Maddox, Elliott Maddox, Drs. Leonard and Rosalind Jeffries, Marland Jeffries (Rosie), Hakeem Jeffries (Kennesandra), Hassan Jeffries, Traci Mack Obfefamu (AJ), Dawn Mack, Karen Brown; cherished friends, Kenneth Lowen and Shivaun Gaines; and a host of other relatives and friends.
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