Joe D. Jefferson

Joe D. Jefferson was born February 22,1944 to Bobbie Jefferson and Sarah Johnson in Rayville, Louisiana.

He completed his education in Rhymes, Louisiana at Rhymes High School in 1963.

Joe was united in marriage to Alberta Jefferson on November 26,1964, and two children were born to this union, Michael and Tonia Jefferson.

In 1966 Joe relocated his wife and children to Indianapolis, IN where he began the journey of his life.  Joe was an amazing family man and a wonderful provider for his family.  In 1973, he began his occupation as a Gage Follow Up employee at Allison Transmission where he would serve 33 ½ years until retirement in 2006.  Aside of being employed at Allison Transmission, Joe was also a very successful businessman.  He launched a Carwash business, which he named Dino’s Carwash in 1986.  This business helped to provide additional income for him and his family and allowed him to scale to the next level in his life.  Joe had such a generous heart and a love for unity and giving back to his community.  He was inducted into the Masonic Lodge and received his certification as a Master Mason. This was not just an organization to Joe, but a brotherhood that birthed lifelong friends.  Within the organization, Joe created the annual Easter Egg Hunt, that the community always looked forward to.  This event would have gift giveaways of bikes, baskets, money and more for children within the inner city. He would go on to host this event for over a decade.

Oh! But he did not stop there.  Joe was also President of this non-for-profit business Indy Mell Fellas, which was also a social club.  With this business he would host Christmas parties, Casino trips, race events and everyone knows the annual luau! Joe made sure to donate part of the profit of these events and trips to the United Negro College Fund.  Joe was an entertainer at heart and loved being around others.

In his later years he would host gatherings and barbeques at his home. You could catch him outside on the grill even if there was snow on the ground.  He loved watching sports, telling stories, laughing, playing his blues music and most of all his family. He had a life well lived and will be missed by all; however, his spirit will live forever.

Joe is preceded in death by his parents, Bobbie and Sarah Jefferson; sister, Marie J. Smith; and brothers, Robert “Jeff”, Wayman Jefferson, Leo Jefferson, Billy Jefferson and Jessie Jefferson.

His memory and love will be cherished by his loving and devoted wife of 58 years, Alberta Jefferson; son, Michael Jefferson (Stephanie); daughter, Tonia Jefferson; grandchildren, Alexandria Jefferson and Mikhail Jefferson; great-grandchildren: Haely Jefferson, Tinley Jefferson, Temperence Jefferson and Talen Jefferson; brothers: James Jefferson (Louvenia), Clarence Jefferson, Lennon Jefferson (Linda Dianne) Cleo Jefferson and Charles Jefferson; sisters: Johnnye L. Butler, Yvonne Jefferson and Sarah L. Jefferson; and a host of nieces, nephews, dear relatives and many friends.