Deborah Ann Jefferson Martin

Deborah Ann Jefferson began her journey of life on Sunday, January 15, 1961 in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. She was the oldest child born to Richard and Virginia Hill Jefferson. She accepted Christ as her personal Lord and Savior and joined Greater Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church under the pastorate of Dr. W. T. Keaton. She worked in the nursery with her grandmother QV Reed and served as secretary of the youth department. Deborah was educated in Arkadelphia and was a 1978 graduate of Arkadelphia High School where she excelled as a student. She blossomed to be a loving, kind and intelligent young woman. While a junior in high school she married Alvin Dangerfield on October 6, 1977 and to this union three handsome sons were born, Reginald, Ronald and Keith. She worked as a counselor for the Battered Woman and Children’s Shelter for 15 years. She was an impeccable housekeeper and a longtime employee at the Arkansas State Capitol Building working in environmental services. She left her mark as a perfectionist and dedicated employee. She later married Elbert Charles Martin on Wednesday, February 14, 2001. Deborah received her blessing of immortality on Monday, August 11, 2014, at Valley Hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada. During all of her 53 seasons, she made friends across race, gender, faith and creed; she freely offered good advice, inspired everyone who crossed her path and proved to be a true friend. Deborah was welcomed home by her father Richard L. Jefferson, her grandparents James Jefferson, Fletcher and Queen Victoria Reed and Willie B. Hill. She leaves to celebrate and honor her life’s journey: her husband, Elbert Charles Martin; her children, Sharonda (Emeka) Butler, Reginald Dangerfield, Ronald Dangerfield and Keith Dangerfield; her beloved grandchildren, Jabrell Dangerfield, Jalia Butler, Tamia Butler, Arionna Butler, Kanesha Dangerfield and Danesha Dangerfield; her step-son she loved as her own, Mark Watson and his children Amber Watson, Ariana Watson, Brandon Harper and Ryan Watson. She also leaves her loving mother, Virginia Jefferson; her siblings, Mildred Jefferson, Jeanetta Jefferson and Ricky Jefferson; her grandmother, Annie B. Hill; her aunts, Annie Abrahams, Mattie McClure, Brenda (Ricky) Govan, Tammy (Russell) Zambrana, Melissa (Dale) Box; uncles, Robert (Mildred) Hill, Glenn, Sr. (Gloria) Hill, Tommie Hill, Gary (Janice) Hill and Rodney (Carolyn) Hill and a multitude of great aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, and countless friends. The public viewing will begin at 1:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 21, 2014 with the family hour from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. A Celebration of Her Life will be held Friday, August 22, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. at Greater Pleasant Hill Baptist Church. Dr. Lewis A. Shepherd, Jr., will officiate. Interment will be in Helms Cemetery.