Lillie Jefferson

Jefferson, Lillie Belle (Perry) of West Newton passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 19, 2014 at Tippett House, Needham, MA. Lillie was born in Warrenton, North Carolina on May 23, 1924 to Saul and Lucy (Hargrove) Perry. She was the oldest of six children. When she was 4 her family settled in Newton, MA. She attended the Newton Public Schools and, after all of her children graduated from college, she followed her dream of having a college degree and graduated from Cambridge College with a Masters in Education. Lillie is survived by her husband, Matthew, three children, Richard Jefferson and his wife Helen of Newton, MA, Paulette Jones and her husband Gerald of Ashland, MA, and Dr. Laurie Nsiah Jefferson of Acton, MA; 6 grandchildren; Shelley N. Jefferson, Derron L. Jones (Sarah), Jeremiah F. Jefferson (Michele), Ashley B. Jefferson, Kwabena M.J. Nsiah and Tracie Morrissey; 6 great grandchildren, Derron Jones, Jr., Kiara Jones, Matteo Jefferson, Angelina Jefferson, Isaiah Herring, and Ivana Herring. Grammee was special to all. There are so many other children, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends that she and her husband of 68 years, nurtured, welcomed into their home, supported, encouraged and LOVED who will miss her dearly. Her brothers, Saul, Perry, Jr. (Ladee), and Hollis Perry and sister, Mary Ragsdale will have their own individual memories of her to cherish. Her sisters, Ruby and Lula Mae and brother, Curtis, predeceased her. Lillie and her husband, Matthew had an extraordinary partnership and marriage. They shared a strong passion for achieving equity in housing, employment, education, and voting. Furthermore, they were very active in church affairs. Lillies contributions to her community and church were numerous. As METCO Coordinator for the Newton Public Schools, Lillie was instrumental in introducing the Efficacy Institute Program and, upon her retirement, founded two METCO Scholarship programs: the Newton METCO Scholarship Fund, Inc. and the Joi Funfil Enrichment Scholarship. These scholarships have allowed deserving, college bound Newton METCO students to receive monies towards tuition expenses. Her love of children and their wellbeing was a main focus in her life. The METCO Scholarship Award Ceremony has been held at the Myrtle Baptist Church since its inception. This link between Myrtle Baptist Church and Newton METCO is only fitting since Lillies other love was her church, Myrtle Baptist. Lillie has been a part of this church since she came to Newton in 1928. She was church secretary for over 45 years, church Clerk, and Historian and Secretary Emeritus. She served on many committees and was president of the Daughters of Myrtle. She was awarded the Outstanding Laywoman of the year in 1973 and in 2004 was honored as an Honorary Chairperson of the 130th Myrtle Baptist Church anniversary. Some of Lillies other community accomplishments, awards and memberships include being recognized by the Womens Union of Boston, National Council of Negro Women- Women of Courage and Conviction honoree, Charter member, Life Member and secretary of the South Middlesex Branch of NAACP, member of Fair Housing Association and Church Women United, moderator of the Samuel Stillman Association of The American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts, contributor to The Civil Rights Movement, authored by Katherine Jones, and charter member of Black Citizens of Newton. Lillie loved drawing, quilting, writing poetry and baking. She is known for giving her grammee originals cards, poems and quilts to friends and family on special occasions. Her poems were always about life experiences and the lifting up of others. She also loved to garden and collect elephant figurines. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, October 23, at Myrtle Baptist Church, West Newton, MA. Wake is 10am-12pm, funeral 12pm. Internment is at Newton Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donation can be made in memory of Lillie Jefferson to METCO Scholarship Fund, Newton METCO Office, 100 Walnut Street, Newtonville, MA 02460 and/or Myrtle Baptist Church Scholarship Fund, 21 Curve Street, West Newton, MA. 02165.