Calvin Leon Jefferson, 95, departed this life on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022 at his James Store residence in Gloucester, Virginia. Calvin was born in the old Harlem Hospital in Harlem, New York. He and his late brother, Leonard, were raised by their single mother, the late Lillian White Jefferson. Calvin attended both Dewitt Clinton High School and Seward Park High School before spending two years in the New York State National Guard. One year later, he would meet the love of his life, Regina Bessell Foster, at the world-famous Savoy Ballroom. Regina’s family had previously migrated to Tuckahoe, New York, from Miles in Mathews, Virginia. Their marriage would extend for 68 years, until Regina’s 2016 transition.
Over the course of those next 68 years, Calvin furthered his renaissance resume. “Cal,” who, from a young age, was an avid reader and confident test taker, devised a strategy that would continually advance his knowledge, prestige, and influence in areas of loss prevention, church choir membership, criminal justice, public service, community theater acting, NAACP activism, Nassau County Family Court and Suffolk County Supreme Court as a Principal Court Clerk. His political endeavors resulted in being recommended to join New York’s North Hempstead Community Development Agency. He would become the agency’s elected Chairman in 1978, serving in that capacity until 1980. He moved to James Store after completing construction of a new home and retiring from the Supreme Court Suffolk Branch of New York. With no actual desire to do so, shortly upon arrival in Gloucester, he was asked and accepted the position of a Gloucester County Deputy Sheriff, under the supervision of the late Sheriff Robin Stanaway.
Calvin was transitionally preceded by his wife, Regina Bessell Foster Jefferson. He leaves to cherish his memory his sons, Ronald Jefferson and Randy Jefferson; granddaughter, Reva Jefferson; grandson, Christopher Jefferson; great-grandson, Miezell Jefferson; nephews, Lee Jefferson and Peter Jefferson; niece, Gina Jefferson Walker; cousin, Lillian Person; cousin by marriage, Mary Sampson, and numerous extended family and friends.
The family will receive friends on Sunday, Nov. 20, from 5-7 p.m. at Forrest Brothers Funeral Home in Hudgins, Virginia. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 21, at the funeral home. A viewing will take place from 10 a.m. until the hour of service.
Arrangements entrusted to Forrest Brothers Funeral Home, Hudgins.
