Michael Hall Jefferson Sr.

From quirky games like “Which would you rather have?” to telling those he mentored to “Just be prepared”, Michael Hall Jefferson Sr. certainly lived life to the fullest. Well, so he thought. However, those who knew him well would argue that the truth is that he was actually afraid of his own shadow.

Born prematurely to Percy Hall Jefferson and the beautiful Ethel May Mitchell on August 15, 1948 in Oakland, California, Michael entered this world living up to what would later become his motto, “If you’re early, you’re on time and if you’re on time, you’re late.”  Although he lost his mother the day he was born, he knew he was loved and supported whole heartedly, as he lived with his paternal grandparents, the late Chestnut and Eldora Jefferson and aunt the late Janice Jefferson Jones. He also spent summers with his maternal grandparents the late Henry and Elnetta Mitchell and aunt Emma Jean Mitchell.  Eventually he settled with his father permanently in Los Angeles, California.  With his father being a young minister and starting a new church called The Living Gospel Church, Michael was tasked with taking piano lessons so that the church would have a piano player.  Even though Michael just wanted to play basketball, hang out with his older brother Raymond, and reporting on sports, he continued to honor his father’s desire for him to master the piano. This introduced him to a new passion in directing The Living Gospel Youth choir and eventually the Living Gospel Senior choir.

Keeping true to his motto, Michael graduated from John C. Fremont High School in Los Angeles at the young age of 16, then moved on to earning his Master’s degree from USC in his early 20’s, and then began his career in sales. While earning his Master’s degree, he met and married his wife, Annette (Allen) Jefferson, on October 6, 1972.  On May 29, 1978 Michael and Annette had their first born, who they were told was a boy, but instead they were blessed with a daughter who they named Michelle Hallette Jefferson.  Five years later, on February 24, 1983, they gave birth to their youngest, finally a son, who they named Michael Hall Jefferson, Jr.  With their family complete, Michael Sr. was able to focus on his sales career, and eventually he started his own medical supply company that he named A&M Medical. When he moved on from that business, he launched a new career as a high-end stock broker until he retired in his late 60’s.

In 2021, Michael and his wife Annette relocated from Henderson, Nevada to Longview, Texas, to return to their roots with The Living Gospel assembly.  As a master pianist, he, along with his wife, have been a blessing to the church.

Until his last days, Michael knew he was loved and cared for by a multitude of family and friends.  His happiest moments were the ones that he was blessed to share with family and loved ones.  These were the moments he would speak of often.  Michael Jefferson, Sr. was preceded in death by his parents, Bishop P.H. and Ethel May Jefferson, his grandparents Chestnut and Eldora Jefferson and Henry and Elnetta Mitchell, his aunt Janice Jefferson Jones and his brother Raymond Jefferson.  Michael leaves behind his wife -Annette Jefferson, his daughter - Michelle Jefferson-Merideth, a son-in law -Tey Merideth, his son-Michael Jefferson Jr., a daughter-in-law - Rachel Jefferson, three beautiful grandchildren- Nile Merideth, Roman Jefferson & Madison Jefferson.  He also leaves behind an uncle and aunt – Bishop Henry and Lola Mitchell, their children - Elder Derrick and Elder Malachi Mitchell, a sister-in-law – Mother Sara Jefferson, nieces – Sara Ramona (Jefferson) Jones, Phyllis Jefferson and Janice (Jefferson) Bright, three brother-in-law’s – Leolen, Marcell and Edgar Allen a sister- in- law- Pearl Allen, another aunt – Emma Jean Anderson, and her children Artranetta Wixx and Artis Wixx, and a multitude of cousins, great nieces, nephews and friends.  

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