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To honor, recognize and celebrate the life of Mrs. Gloria Jefferson and to extend our sincerest condolences to her family and friends on the occasion of her passing, Saturday, July 13, 2019.
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WHEREAS, the members of Columbus City Council extend this resolution of expression in honor of the life and service of Mrs. Gloria Jefferson who peacefully passed away on Saturday, July 13, 2019; and
WHEREAS, Gloria was born to Mr. W. Rudolph Pullom and Mrs. Sarah (Fields) Pullom in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on August 19, 1933; and
WHEREAS, Gloria moved to Miami, Florida where she graduated with honors from Booker T. Washington High School - after high school she attended Tennessee State University, in Nashville, Tennessee where she received a B.S. in chemistry, graduating with honors - she also went on to graduate with honors from Meharry Medical College, also located in Nashville, Tennessee in 1955; at Meharry, she met her husband, Alfred Blair Jefferson, MD and married in 1955 - they each continued their post graduate training in Michigan and Ohio, and in 1962 with their three children, the family settled in Columbus, Ohio; and
WHEREAS, Gloria cared about her community and dedicated her life to social justice and community service; as a social activist she worked tirelessly to support the election of public officials at nearly every level of government; she used her voice as an advocate and her resources as a philanthropist to support numerous civic organizations focused on the needs of children, seniors and healthcare causes for women and vulnerable populations; and
WHEREAS, Gloria understood the importance of making a difference in the lives of others -she was a platinum member of the Columbus Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, where she served in various leadership capacities, including president; she was a member of the Columbus Chapter of The Sophisticates, Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Jack and Jill of America, the American Society of Clinical Pathologists; the Catholic Social Services development board, the Comp Drug Board of Directors - She supported the work of the Community for New Directions, the United Way, the American Heart Association, the Columbus Museum of Art, and she founded two bridge clubs: the Kardames and the Short Bridge Clubs, where she made lifelong friends; and
WHEREAS, Gloria will be missed - she is preceded in death by her husband of 56 years of marriage, Alfred B. Jefferson, MD and is survived by her sons, Gregory and Bryan Jefferson, daughter Karen Morrison (Dr. Gregory Morrison) and leaves four grandchildren, Aaron Capel, Sarah Morrison, Blaire Morrison and Brandon Jefferson, one great-granddaughter, Aryiana, daughter-in law, Vickey Jefferson and very special cousins Elizabeth Albury and Renee Albury Wilson; sister-in-law, Joyce Williams; two nephews, Bernard Jefferson, Esq., Kenneth Jefferson; two nieces, Dr. Kathy Jefferson and Joy Williams, Esq.,and a host of other family and friends; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS: That this Council does hereby honor, recognize and celebrate the life of Mrs. Gloria Jefferson and extend our sincerest condolences to her family and friends on the occasion of her passing, Saturday, July 13, 2019.