Beverly Jeffery

The Story of a Life Well Lived for

Ms. Beverly Jean Jeffery

A song for her…I just called to say I love you / I just called to say how much I care / I just called to say I love you / And I mean it from the bottom of my heart!

Ms. Beverly Jean Jeffery was born on Tuesday, July 22, 1947 in Kilgore, Texas as the first child, and only daughter of William Jeffery and Cathedra Wallace Jeffery. A few years after her birth, the family moved to Dallas, Texas. She lived her life as lyrics of a song…in tuned, and her own melody.

Beverly attended church and school in Dallas. She was a majorette for the Mighty Lincoln Tigers Purple Flash Drill Team while in high school. She was a member of Good Street Baptist Church in her early years, but always considered Riverside Missionary Baptist Church as her home church, where she was a member until her illness.

One of the best roles Beverly held in her life was that of a big sister to William (Sonny) and James. On October 1, 1969, God blessed Beverly with her one and only son, Gregory. Stevie Wonder said it best to describe their relationship: “You are the sunshine of my life / That's why I'll always stay around / You are the apple of my eye / Forever you'll stay in my heart!”

And the music plays on… Beverly aspired to be a flight attendant, because of her love to travel, however the thought of spending a lot of time away from her family, son was not what she wanted to do; she chose the career as an Accounts Representative. She was a very dedicated employee of Zales Corporation and Home Interiors for a number of years for each. After retirement, she worked part time through the American Association for Retired Persons as a receptionist.

At Zales, she became friends with Charles Briscoe, who introduced her to his wife Cherrie, and Cherrie’s sister, Maxine. Beverly became close friends, in fact “sister-friends” with Cherrie, and Maxine. “Keep smiling, keep shining / Knowing you can always count on me, for sure / That's what friends are for / For good times and bad times / I'll be on your side forever more That's what friends are for!”

The love of traveling continued, although she was not a flight attendant; Beverly would travel with her family and sister-friends almost yearly. Some of her fondest trips included: Hawaii, Bahamas, Jamaica, The Caymen Islands, Mexico, Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, Barbados, Dominica, St. Lucia, St. Kitts, St. Marteen, and various destinations across the nation. Trips to California to visit her brother always made her smile! Her weekly trips to the movie theater, followed by a stellar review made our weeks! We also love that she loved to bake! Her chocolate sheet cake, and fruit salad were our most requested favorites. She really enjoyed swapping recipes on Facebook with Willie Callahan (Sandra’s aunt).

On Tuesday, February 18, 2020 the sweet spirit of Beverly sang the lyrics of Walter Hawkins’ classic: “If anybody asked you…Where I'm going...Soon…Tell them I’m goin' up yonder!” She was surrounded by her son, cousin, and close family friends when the Angel of Heaven came to visit. Beverly quietly said “while on others thou are calling, do not pass me by.”

Her father, mother, and brother James preceded her in death.

To continue the soundtrack of her life is her son Gregory, daughter-in-law Sandra, grandson AnTuan (Dougie Fresh); her brother William, sister-in-law Lisa, nephew William (Katie), niece Cathy, and cousin Tony Wallace. Her memory will also be treasured by her extended family, work and church friends, neighbors, and all that knew her. “Until the rainbow burns the stars out in the sky / Until the ocean covers every mountain high / Until the dolphin flies and parrots live at sea / Until we dream of life and life becomes a dream…I’ll be loving you always!”