Johnny Lee Jefferson

Obituary For Johnny Lee Jefferson

The funeral services for the late Mr. Johnny Jefferson, who departed this life on Sunday, September 7, 2025, will be held on Saturday, September 13, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. from the New Beulah Grove Baptist Church in Sylvester, Georgia. Reverend Karl Smith, Pastor will deliver the Eulogy. Burial will follow in the Shepard Memorial Garden.

Mr. Johnny Lee Jefferson, the eldest of five children, was born on April 5, 1937 to late Earlene Jefferson Burch and the late Willie B. Gordon in Sumner, Georgia. He was raised by his grandparents. Johnny received his education in the Worth County School System and graduate from Oak Hill High School in Worth County.

Johnny accepted Christ at an early age and joined the Pine Bluff Baptist Church in Sumner, Georgia. Later in life, he moved his membership to New Beulah Grove Baptist Church in Sylvester, Georgia. He served as a member of the Deacon Board and the Usher Board until his health started declining.

Johnny met and fell in love with Grace Fulton. They were married on February 1, 1959 on the front porch of her parent’s home. During their 66 years of marriage they were blessed with four children.

Johnny was well known in the Sylvester community. He was the first African-American police officer in Sylvester, Georgia. The City of Sylvester, along with Mayor Harold Proctor, Jr., officially proclaimed February 20, 2023 in the city of Sylvester, as Johnny Lee Jefferson Day. Johnny was the manager of the Traveling Echoes gospel group for many years. He was a very dedicated member and he loved fellowshipping with all of the guys of the Traveling Echoes.

Johnny was always helping others. He never met a stranger and he loved his family.

Our beloved Johnny Lee was called to Eternal Rest on Sunday, September 7, 2025. His parents, two children, two brothers Freddie Burch, Oscar Burch, one sister, Johnnie Mae Brinson, his father- and mother-in-law, Samuel and Florine Fulton, three sisters-in-law Grace Fulton, Betty Fulton, Doris Young, four brothers-in-law Claudie Fulton, Benjamin Fulton, Frank Fulton, Clifford Brinson, have all preceded him in death.

Johnny leaves to cherish so many wonderful memories his wife of 66 years, Grace Fulton Jefferson; his daughters Felicia (Frank) Crapp, Karen Hall, both of Sylvester, GA; his godson, Joelandon Dixon of Sylvester, GA; seven grandchildren, Jeffery, Christopher (Eva), Diandria, Raven, Kandis, Jordan, Bradlee; six great grandchildren, Kaelynn, SaMya, Jayvion, Ji’King, Alaya, Akari; a brother, Clarence (Mary) Burch of Sylvester, GA; a brother-in-law Steven (Rhonda) Edwards of Florence, SC; two sisters-in-law Diedra (Gilbert) Sutton of Columbia, SC, Patricia Burch of Sylvester, GA; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many friends.