Lessie Mae (Jefferson) Tardy

Lessie Mae (Jefferson) Tardy, the daughter of Cobie Jefferson Sr. and Willia Mae (Strong) Jefferson, was born July 4, 1931 in West Point, Mississippi. “Mae” was the name her family and friends affectionately called her, along with other names such as Aunt Mae and Auntie Les.

Lessie worked at a local dry-cleaning business in Indianapolis until she became a homemaker and mother to everyone.

On December 2,1962 Lessie was united in Holy Matrimony to William F. Tardy. William and Lessie enjoyed 36 years of marriage until William’s passing in 1998.

She confessed her life to Christ and was a member of Light of the World Church.

Lessie had a passion for watching western movies and one of her favorite shows was The Long Ranger. She also loved the soap operas. Lessie had a passion for favorite (5) for those that knew her on a personal level and know what that is :-). She loved sitting on her porch keeping up with the latest news, and she was called “Snoop Newsworthy” as she kept up with all the neighborhood activities. We also can never forget those Sunday dinners. She loved to cook and feed everyone.

Lessie Mae Tardy departed this life on Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at the age of 91 years. Her parents: Cobie Jefferson Sr. and Willia Mae Jefferson; son, William Tardy; and five brothers: Alex, Willie, Robert, Cobie Jr. and Jim Jefferson, all preceded her in death.

She leaves to cherish in her memory three children: William Howard (Francie), Vivian Gatlin and Fred Tardy (Cynthia); six grandchildren Jr. (Theresa), Darrell (Sheri), Herman (Sherri), Jason, Jeffery and Janae (Andre); four great-grandchildren: Travis Tardy, Christian Tardy, Herman Fant and Harmony Fant; three sisters: Sarah Jefferson, Dorothy “Dot” Shields and Ada “Kat” Anderson (Howard); brother, Rev. Edward Lewis Jefferson (Joy) of Oklahoma City, OK; and a host of loving relatives and friends.