Mr. LEE ARTHUR JEFFERSON

L.A. (Sunshine) Jefferson (nicknamed Tom Dooley by his mother) of Chicago, IL was 66 when he passed away peacefully at home on March 25, 2025, in the early hours of the day.

He was born on December 16, 1958, in Lexington, MS. At an early age, he moved to Chicago and received his upbringing and education here.

L.A. loved the education system and was very active in it. He was a very creative person in many areas, including acting, dancing, playing sports, fixing things and making a lot of creative things at that. Something he really enjoyed doing was singing. He would create a song in a minute and would be his own band.

L.A. took a pause when he met and later married Rosie in 1981. From that union, his son Tory was born, who has been at his side ever since.

L.A. attended Malcolm X and Northeastern colleges. After receiving his degrees, he became a teacher and coach within the public school system, where he devoted 30 years. He spent 26 of those years teaching and coaching at Robert Nathaniel Dett Elementary. He enjoyed dancing even when he had to use walking sticks. L.A. loved to entertain and have a good time with many.

L.A. is preceded in death by: His parents, Sammy Butler and Mary Jefferson; added moms, Shirley and Daisy; two sisters, Nadine and Mildred Newman; and two brothers, James Newman and Lee Edward Martin.

He is survived by: Son, Tory Lee Jefferson and daughter, Victoria Coleman, both of Chicago, Illinois; a bonus son, Edward McClain and daughter, Angel Lee; four brothers, seven sisters, three sisters-in-law and one brother-in-law, Allen (Dee), Eddie, Debbie, Wonder, Sandra, Sherry, Diane, LaVerne (Darien), Derrick (Patrina), Dana (Yolanda); his beloved grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends; and a special niece, Katanya (Toot Toot), that he would only call Three Three. He had a nickname for everybody.