Emmett Edward Jefferson Jr departed this life peacefully on May 12, 2024, in Wyoming, Michigan. Born to the late Edna Burks and Emmett Edward Jefferson Jr. on September 14, 1941, in Benoit, Mississippi, he went on to live a remarkable life. Affectionately known as Bay Brother as a child, he was predeceased by siblings Arthur Hinkgaines, Louise Burks, Cornell Jefferson, Betsy Johnson and Glen Hinkgaines.
Determined to have a better life the Jeffersons left Mississippi for Chicago, IL with young Jeff as he would later be called.

Jeff enlisted in the Navy in 1957 and served his country proudly for 11years. While doing so he'd see the world, hone his boxing skills that started on the streets of Chicago and being mentored by boxing legend Archie Moore. While in the Navy he'd go on to be Atlantic Fleet Heavyweight Champion and serve as an M.P and boiler room tech which would later lead him to a career in engineering. While stationed in Norfolk, Virginia he would meet Wilbertine Baker. The young couple would marry on April 1,1960. Jeff would go on and serve in Vietnam and earn the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. Navy life had them stationed around the country finally settling down in Chicago, IL.

Honorably discharged from the Navy, Emmett Edward Jefferson Jr. began working for US Steel and later went on to own several businesses and properties. Also, he had a short professional singing career with the Montego's, earned several College degrees and retired as Assistant Chief Engineer of the City of Chicago's Waterworks Department. Emmett would relocate to Michigan with his wife Sharon Hooper and build a life together where he'd revisit his first love boxing. He formed a boxing program for the youth of Holland, MI for Boys and Girls which in turn helped to make him a pillar of the community. Local news even did a feature on him as he would guide a young Johnny Garcia to Golden Gloves in Michigan.

Emmett Edward Jefferson Jr. leaves to celebrate his life his wife Sharon Hooper and three daughters Shoshanna Steele, Sho'lita Steele, and Sharonda Steele, three sons Terry A Jefferson, Jerry A Jefferson and Emmett Edward Jefferson III; five sisters Earnestine Martin, Patricia Bryan (Gary) Gloria Bashir (Roderick) Loretta Jefferson, and Lynn Morris; two brothers Lamar Jefferson, and Levi Redding; ten grandchildren, five great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.

A funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 25, 2024, at Divine Holiness Church of Christ, 2610 Cedar Road, Chesapeake, where viewing will be held at 10:00 a.m. the day of the service. Pretlow and Sons Funeral Home, Chesapeake is in charge of arrangements.

You can join the service livestream at 11:00 am on Saturday, May 25, 2024, at: https://www.facebook.com/PretlowandSons