McKinley Jefferson

Sunrise: November 17, 1940- Sunset: August 27, 2023. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. II Timothy 4:7 McKinley Jefferson was born November 17, 1940 to the parentage of Haynes and Lee Esther Jefferson. They lived in Clinton, Louisiana where he attended school and was a member of the football and track teams. He left home at a very early age. He moved to New Orleans where he became a cook. He also picked up other odd jobs to survive. He confessed his faith in Christ at a very early age. After moving to Houston, Texas, he was baptized and united with Bethel Missionary Baptist Church. This is where he met and married Tommie Shelton. To this union, four children, Paul, Tonya, Malcolm and Angela were born. While their marriage didn't last forever as they had hoped, McKinley and Tommie remained close as a team to raise their children. McKinley was very active in the church. He was called into the ministry and worked faithfully by his pastor's side. He was ordained and called to pastor in 1989. He was a pastor after God's own heart receiving many awards. He was very caring and giving, a payer warrior and an intercessor at heart. Working in the ministry is where he met his 2nd wife, Arlene Marshall Savage. They united in marriage in 1990 in Denver, Colorado. Arlene had four children when he met her, but that didn't matter to him, he loved those children as his own. From the outside looking in, it may have looked like an untraditional family unit, but he bonded with those children like a true stepfather. He was "Pa Pa" to all of his grandchildren whom he loved dearly. McKinley and Arlene pastored Brotherly Love church in Denver, Colorado for years. They moved to Odessa, Texas in 2001. In 2005, they united and became members of Parker Heights Christian Church under the leadership of Mark Bristow. They became "Paw Paw" and "Mama" Jefferson to the whole congregation. Mckinley was a true humanitarian with a passion for helping the underprivileged. He was also an entrepreneur owning a business with his brother in Houston, Texas for years. He worked as a chef for years and was an amazing cook. He loved volunteering and received many awards for his work. He loved working beside his wife Arlene. The love between them was evident as they traveled together running revivals and conferences, witnessing a mighty move of God. Their traveling became limited when Mckinley was diagnosed with kidney and heart failure. Despite his diagnosis, he did not miss a beat serving God! He truly believed he could do all things through Christ, the source of his strength! He never complained. When asked how he was doing, he would always reply, "I'm fine, just fine". Even while doing his dialysis treatments with his little dog "White T" by his side, he could be heard in intercessory prayer. He prayed without ceasing, even when he knew he was dying. On August 27, 2023, God decided that Mckinley's work on earth was finished. He took off mortality and put on immortality. Go ahead and do your "War Cry" "Mack" and put your dancing shoes on and show them how it's done! "Booby" He is preceded in death by his parents, Haynes and Lee Esther Jefferson, his daughter, Tonya Jefferson, five brothers, Leonard, Isaac, Henry, James and Lewis Jefferson and one sister Hazel Jefferson. He leaves to cherish his fond memories, his wife of 33 years, Arlene (aka "Booby"), two sons, Paul and Malcolm (Sheila) Jefferson, one daughter, Angela Evans, four brothers, Silas, Walter, Clarence and Tim Jefferson, three stepsons, Elder Lance (Tonya), Lawrence, and Lonnie Savage, one stepdaughter, Devonna Cannon, and "Paw Paw's" heart, his grandchildren, Jazemand, Ebony, MalcolmJr., Travone, Olivia, Tariah, Arlisha, C.J., Malcolm, Lance Jr., Landon, Zack, Erika, Darian, 8 great grandchildren and 6 great, great grandchildren, his spiritual daughters, Carol Broom and Coleen Schroeder, a host of brother in laws, sister in laws, nieces, nephews and friends. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5

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McKinley Jefferson

November 17, 1940 - August 27, 2023