Fred Palmer Jeffers Sr.

Fred Palmer Jeffers Sr., passed away on April 6. A giant of a man has fallen, but trusting Jesus as his Savior, his spirit lives on at home with God.

He was born in Oneida, to Oscar and Sadie Goad Jeffers on Aug. 1, 1927.

Preceding him in death were his parents Oscar and Sadie Goad Jeffers; his brothers, Olin, B.R., Ervin, and Hurse; and his sisters, Emma and Ruth.

After serving in the U.S. Navy at the end of the war, he came to work at U.S. Department of Energy, Y-12, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Oak Ridge until his retirement. While at ORNL, he received an R&D award for his work in Ceramics Lab.

Fred lived in Oak Ridge with his family for over 64 years, where he had served on the Oak Ridge Planning Commission, and he was a longtime member of Glenwood Baptist Church, taught an RA’s group of boys at church, worked as a volunteer tax preparer for seniors in his retirement, and he was fondly known to his neighbors as always ready to lend a helping hand. He was also a member of Scottish Rite Masons.

He leaves his wife of 63 years, Maxine Stephens Jeffers; three children and spouses, Fred P. Jeffers Jr. and Barbara of Greensboro, N.C., Katherine J. Smith and Doug of LaFollette, and Philip A. Jeffers and Barbara of Minneapolis, Minn.; five grandchildren, Benjamin and Alexandria of Kenya, Africa, Michael of Pittsburgh, Pa., William of Greensboro, N.C., twins, Sophia and Samantha of Minneapolis, Minn.; nieces and nephews, Pam Stegall, David Stegall, Diane Lambert, Don and Margie Trowbridge, Annette and Don Epps, Joyce Trowbridge, Jerry and Linda Sharp, Don and Judy Sharp, Janie Sharp, Joan and Ed Peck, Joe Stephens, John Stephens, Jackie and Carol Jeffers, Bill and Pam Jeffers, Brenda Jeffers, Betty Jeffers, Nina Jeffers, and special great-nephew Drew Perry; and Ruby Stephens Sharp, his one surviving sister-in-law.

His family will miss him greatly.

The family will receive friends Thursday, April 11, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at Glenwood Baptist Church. The funeral service will be held at 6:30 at the church with Dr. Mark Walton officiating.

The graveside service will be held on Friday, April 12, at 10 a.m. at Woodward Cemetery in LaFollette.

An online guest book may be signed at www.weatherfordmortuary.com.