Aug. 26, 1931 – May 25, 2019

NATCHEZ— Services for John Hal Jefferson, 87, of Natchez, formerly of Hazlehurst, who died Saturday, May 25, 2019, at Merit Health Natchez, will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Zion Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church with the Rev. Birdon Mitchell Jr. officiating.  
Burial will follow at White Bay Cemetery in Hazlehurst under the direction of West Gate Funeral Home.
Visitation will be from 4 to 5 p.m. today at the funeral home and from 10 a.m. until service time Saturday at the church.
Mr. Jefferson was born Aug. 26, 1931, in Hazlehurst, the son of Lerue Jefferson and Lovie Johnson Jefferson.
He joined Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Hazlehurst at an early age and later joined Zion Chapel African Episcopal Church, where he served faithfully with the pastor’s aide ministry until his health failed.
He enjoyed fishing, gardening, watching old westerns and the Atlanta Braves.
Jefferson was preceded in death by his wife, Bernice Corley Jefferson; his parents; and 11 siblings.
Survivors include two sons, Hal Ellis Jefferson of New Orleans and James C. Jefferson and wife, Bonnie, of Pearland, Texas; five daughters, Norma J. West and husband, John, of Natchez, Phillis Dumas of San Bernadino, Calif., Verletta Jefferson of Harvey, La., Verlinda Jefferson of Marrero, La., and Mary Frances Parrish of Hazlehurst; 11 grandchildren, Troy Johnson, Vertrecia Terry, Sherman Dumas, Alana Dorsey, Davina Jefferson, Dianna Dumas, Amanda Jefferson, Joshua West, Jordan Varnado, James C. Jefferson and Jonathan Gilmore; and other relatives and friends.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at westgatefh.com.