Pastor Sarah Ellen Jones Jefferson
Passed 06/12/2020
Pastor Sarah Ellen Jones Jefferson, daughter of the late Edward and Cora Bell Jones, was born on August 1, 1937 in Fort Motte, South Carolina. She departed this life peacefully on Friday, June 12, 2020 at Providence Health. Raised in Calhoun and Orangeburg Counties, she is a graduate of Orangeburg School District Five. She matriculated at South Carolina State College (University) in Orangeburg, South Carolina, where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work. She was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Christian Leadership from the Body of Christ School of the Great Commission and International Bible Institute in Columbia, South Carolina. “Mother Jefferson” or “Granny” as she was affectionately known, loved sharing the word of God. She was the Pastor and Founder of Jefferson Street Full Gospel Holiness Church in Orangeburg, South Carolina. She built her church from the ground up. She pastored Jefferson Street for over 43 years. Pastor Jefferson believed in leading by example. She loved praising God and sharing the Word with all whom she came in contact with. She preached and lived her life through holiness. She believed that Holiness is the only way to God’s kingdom. She was a member of the Women of Faith and Spirit Ministry of the Cope and Orangeburg areas. Most recently, she became a member of Platt Springs Baptist Church in West Columbia, South Carolina.
An exceptional Woman of God, she can be described by using the following adjectives: God-fearing, Saved and Sanctified, Prayer Warrior, Proud, Honest, Loyal, Loveable, Powerful, Trustworthy, Peaceful, and a Motivator.
She worked for The Regional Medical Center for 37 years. After retiring from the Regional Medical Center, she was employed with Orangeburg Consolidated School District Four as a Special Needs Para Assistant. She also worked with Orangeburg Consolidated School District Five as a substitute teacher.
She was married to the late Marion Cleveland Jefferson and to this union, four beautiful souls were born: Blake Cleveland, Linda Ann, Victoria Delorise, and Marion, Junior. She was preceded in death by her husband and three of her children, Blake Cleveland, Victoria Delorise, and Marion, Junior.
She prided herself in being a wonderful mother, a terrific grandmother, a loving and supportive great grandmother, sister, aunt, friend, devoted church leader and a true woman of God. She leaves to cherish fond memories: a loving daughter, Linda Ann Jefferson of Columbia, South Carolina, four wonderful grandchildren: Dr. Vickel M. Darby of Orangeburg, South Carolina, Dr. Rashad Y. (Clarissa) Darby of Augusta, Georgia, Yolanda S. (Douglas Richardson) Darby of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Sarah L. (Christian) Ayler of Fort Campbell, Kentucky; nine awesome great-grands: Christian V. Owens of Orangeburg, South Carolina, De’George R. Darby and Larry Hatchett of Augusta, Georgia, SaNiya A. Darby of Columbia, South Carolina, DaMarcus J. Darby-Richardson of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Jayla Ayler, Christian Ayler, Junior, Nicholas Ayler of Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and Rashad Y. Darby, Junior of Augusta, Georgia; one caring sister, Leonoria Riley, and one supportive brother, Henry Jones of Columbia, South Carolina, very special families: The Bovains, Archie, Hickman, Davis, Simon, Stacks, and Williams Families, a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, adopted daughters and sons, friends, Platt Springs Baptist Church and Jefferson Street Full Gospel Holiness Church families. Pastor Sarah Jefferson possessed an abundance of love, holiness, mentorship, energy, praying hands, and patience. She was indeed a “Rock” to all who needed her. Every day she lived for holiness. In her own words, “Holiness is the Only Way to Heaven”.
Visitation will be held Friday, June 19, 2020 from 3:00pm – 7:00pm.
Friends may call Simmons Funeral Home and Crematory of Orangeburg, SC.
Pastor Jefferson's funeral services can be viewed below: