Ola Mae Jefferson

Ola Mae Jefferson, 81, of Gainesville, passed away February 19, 2021 in Gainesville.

Ola Mae was born August 26, 1939 in Valley View to Howard and Esther (Reece) Ward.  She graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in Gainesville.  Mrs. Jefferson was a member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Gainesville.  She loved playing Bingo and was a skilled cook; the family will particularly miss her potato salad, greens, and beans & cornbread.  Mrs. Jefferson’s greatest skill was loving and supporting her family in their goals and pursuits.  An intelligent woman, she was a constant source of optimism and encouragement.  Mrs. Jefferson had more than enough love for everybody and will be dearly missed by all that knew her.

Survivors include: son, Warren Ward of Ardmore, OK; son, Billy Wayne Jefferson of Gainesville; daughter, Minnie Ola Jefferson of Ardmore, OK; son, Billy Ray Jefferson of Gainesville; son, Ernest Lane of Ardmore, OK; daughter Doris Lane and husband, Reginald Thomas of Lawton, OK; 35 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; several great-great-grandchildren; sister, Marie Wilson of Gainesville; sister Esther Johnson and husband, Robert of Gainesville; brother, Howard Ward, Jr. of Wichita Falls; son-in-law, Earl Johnson of North Carolina; and son-in-law, Stoney Burkes of Bristol, OK.

Mrs. Jefferson was preceded in death by: parents, Howard and Esther Ward; daughter, Juanita Johnson; son, Jet Lee Jefferson; brother, Johnny Ward; brother, Andrew Ward; and twin brothers, Roy and Troy Ward.

Memorial services will be scheduled at a later time.

God Saw You Getting Tired

God saw you getting tired

And a cure was not to be

So He put His arms around you

And whispered, “Come to Me.”

With tearful eyes we watched you

And saw you pass away

Although we love you dearly

We could not make you stay.

A golden heart stopped beating

Hard working hands at rest

God broke our hearts to prove

He only takes the best.