St. Clair County Obits

IRENE E. JEFFERSON

Irene Edna Cox Jefferson was born on September 26, 1920 in Appleton City, Mo. She was the oldest daughter of the late Bernice Burdett Cox and Leora Yost Cox. She graduated from Lincoln High School in Sedalia, Mo, and received her Bachelor of Science from Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Mo. While attending Lincoln University she was the head of the Stenographic Bureau and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.
Irene and Billy Byrd Jefferson began their courtship at Lincoln University and were later wed June 12, 1948 in Sedalia, Mo. To this union two children were born, Billye Jeanne and Jan Elise.
As a research librarian, Irene worked for the Santa Clara County Library System in the City of Milpitas, Ca, retiring after 18 years of service.
Irene was a member of the Sunnyhills Methodist Church in Milpitas, Ca, where she served as the pianist in the early beginnings of the church. Prior to that, she was a member of the Taylor Memorial M.E. Church, Sedalia, Mo. She served on various committees within Sunnyhills Methodist Church as well as other civic organizations.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Leora Irene Cornelius Yost Cox; her father Bernice Burdett Cox; her brother Bernice Burdett Cox, Jr.; and her sister, Marleeta Ann Parks.
She leaves to cherish her memory her husband, Billy Byrd Jefferson; her children, Billye Jeanne Alexander and Jan Elise Griffin; her sister, Mary Jane Young; her brother, Donald Lee Cox; her grandchildren, Jeffrey Charles Alexander, Jennifer Brooke Alexander, and Alison Irene Griffin; her son-in-law, Darrel Ernest Griffin; and a host of beloved nieces and nephews, loving relatives, and dear friends.
She was a loving mother, wife, daughter, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She will be deeply missed by those who knew and loved her.
Fly As High As You Can And It Won’t Be Long ‘Til I See You Again.