Emily Lee Jeffries

Born on August 25, 1934, Emily Lee Lawson was the third of seven children born to Johnson L. and Ollie B, (née: Smith) Lawson in Demopolis, Alabama. She completed her K-12 education there and graduated from U. S. Jones High School. At a football game of a rival high school, she met her future husband Ruben E. Jeffries, Sr. As a trained first soprano, she lent her voice as a member of her high school choir, and was a member of the Future Homemakers of America while in high school. Anything she did, you could find her singing or humming throughout her life. On September 27, 1953, she married a then young Army soldier and to that union were born five children - Ruben Jr., Legretha, Yolanda, Frederick and Mark. She was a gifted seamstress and had her own business for many years, crafting custom clothing for many individuals and choirs. A woman of many talents and gifts, first and foremost, she was always giving to others and helping those in need. At Christian Chapel Baptist Church in Demopolis, Alabama she gave her life to Christ and was baptized at an early age. After Ruben served during the Korean War in the Army, they relocated to Illinois where she became a member of First Corinthians Baptist Church in North Chicago, Illinois. A few years later they relocated to Wisconsin and she joined St. Paul Baptist Missionary Baptist Church in Racine, Wisconsin where she served for over 57 years. The current pastor is Bishop Lawrence L. Kirby, Sr. She had a drive to provide guidance for young girls and led the Red Circle Girls for a number of years. She was a member of and also served terms as president of the Gospel Choir, Voices of St. Paul, the Singles ministry and in her later years served as a church mother. She was an active member of the Wisconsin National Baptist Convention. As time went on, the extreme cold weather began to be too much for her physically so she relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina where the climate was more favorable. There, she joined St. Paul Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Robert Charles Scott. Emily worked in a number of different industries. She served as a presser in a dry cleaners; performed private domestic work in Racine and Northeast Illinois; as a seamstress making men’s top coats for Rainfair, Inc. and later as a Book Conservator for Golden Books International. When she retired, she did not rest. She continued to be an active member of the Racine Community. She was a member of the NAACP, a regular at the YWCA exercise classes and a voracious reader. Knowledge and education was important to her and she was constantly encouraging others to take full advantage of every opportunity. Just seven days short of her 90th birthday, Emily was called from labor to reward in the comfort of her home. She leaves to cherish her memory, her children - Ruben Jr. (Gloria) , Legretha, Yolanda (Jimmy) Thomas, Frederick, Mark (Kristin), Edward Lawson, Gregory Lawson, Michelle Hudson, Randy and Jennifer Luter; two sisters - Mary (Matthew) Jefferson and Rosa Lawson; Grandchildren - Zachary (Clarisa), Philip (Jocelyn), Seneca, Darius, Mia McKinney, and Michelle Payne. Great grandchildren - Alexander, Kaleb, Isabella, Harper, Zuri and Marleaux; brother-in-law - Ira (Irma) Jeffries and sisters-in-law Avery Jeffries, Iola Jeffries, Katie Jeffries, and Carol Lawson as well as a host of cousins, nephews, nieces, great nephews, great nieces and special friends Archie and Sheila Rainer, Samuel Ford, Sr., Minnie Beadles, and Dorothy Erby. She was preceded in death by her parents, Johnson and Ollie Lawson; her husband Ruben E. Jeffries Sr., her brothers - Johnson (Willie Marie) Lawson, Simon (Martha) Lawson, Frederick (Carol) Lawson, her eldest sister Sarah (Robert) Jones; in-laws - James Jeffries, William Jeffries, Dora Jeffries, Viola Jeffries, and Sarah (Cecil) Patton.

Emily Lee Jeffries

August 25, 1934 - August 18, 2024