Annie Bell Jefferson

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most high shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.- Psalms 91:1

Annie Bell Jefferson was born March 8, 1922, in Camden, AR to Pearlie Wilson Dickens. Her mother soon desired to move to Sparkman, AR and so after doing just that, she eventually met and married a kind-hearted man by the name of Emanuel Osborne. Annie Bell was welcomed and quickly found love and support in his family being raised as his daughter. Both of Annie Bell’s parents were very nurturing and they instilled in her the value of morality, integrity, and humility. It wasn’t long before Annie Bell decided to let Jesus be her captain and take the wheel, leading her to unite with First Baptist Church of Sparkman at a young age.

Settling into adulthood, Annie Bell moved to Oakland, CA where she met and married Edward Lee Henley, Sr., and to this union 2 children were born. She later felt a strong desire to return to her roots in Sparkman where she married Leandrew Craigg and to this union, 1 child was born. She later married Charlie Jefferson, who she enjoyed so much of life with. He became her lifelong friend and partner.

Sister Jefferson was such a sweet yet firm, strong yet gentle, and loving mother. Her children called her “Mamadear” and the name stuck thus it was used by other family and friends as well. She was educated in Sparkman, AR. While raising her children, she became a hair stylist to support them. She attended Texarkana Beauty College and received her cosmetologist license in 1964. Doing hair became a hobby she was very passionate about. She took great pride in her work and the many lives she touched while “hot combing” the whole community of family and friends in Sparkman. Other hobbies Sister Jefferson enjoyed include fishing, reading, doing puzzles, and watching Razorback basketball on T.V. and discussing the games with friends. At the age of 83, Annie Bell received her lifetime license in cosmetology. This was one of her many great accomplishments in life next to taking care of her family and being there for her friends. Sister Annie Bell Jefferson gained life’s most ultimate reward on August 15, 2018, in her 96th season of life. She can finally rest in the arms of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ after a job well done.

She is preceded in death by her parents; beloved husband, Charlie Jefferson; brother, Chappel Dickens; Stepbrother, Jim Osborne; Stepsisters, Minnie Taylor, Lovella Kelly and Bessie Spivey. She leaves to cherish her memory: One daughter, Patricia Utley of Sparkman, AR; two sons, Edward Henley, Jr. and Johnny Craig both of Sparkman, AR; one sister, Elizabeth Evans of Seattle, WA; one granddaughter, Youlonda Winters or Arkadelphia, AR; three great-grandchildren, Kayla Utley, Stephanie Utley and Jacoby Winters all of Arkadelphia, AR; two great-great-grandchildren, Jhene Utley and Chase Withers both of Arkadelphia, AR; special friends, Gwendolyn Pigg Ceasar and Roshelle Sanders Carter. She also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and the First Baptist Church family.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Mitchell Funeral Home in Arkadelphia, AR. Visitation will be on Thursday, August 23, 2018, at Mitchell Funeral Home from 12:00 noon- 5:00 p.m. Funeral services will be on Friday, August 24, 2018 at First Missionary Baptist Church in Sparkman, AR at 11:00 a.m. where Rev. Louis A. Craig is pastor and will serve as eulogist. Elder Delton Simpson will serve as officiant. Burial and final resting place will be in Sparkman Memorial Cemetery in Sparkman, AR.