Thomas Joseph Jefferis, Sr.

Thomas Joseph Jefferis, Sr., 85, of Bethesda, Ohio passed away on Tuesday, January 19, 2021 at his home surrounded by his family. He was born on November 7, 1935, in Barnesville, Ohio to the late Raphael Thomas and Marcella (Burkhart) Jefferis.

Tom was a member of the Assumption of the B.V.M Catholic Church in Barnesville and was a retired heavy equipment operator for R&F Coal Company. He was a member of the Bethesda Senior Center and the Farmer’s Market where he sold his vegetables that he grew. Tom was a man of faith and a man of love. He met his wife Rita Mae on her 18th Birthday at a square dance and they have been married for 63 years. All because these two fell in love they have started a legacy for their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Tom loved his family more than anything in this world, especially his wife Rita Mae and his very large and still growing family. Tom loved watching his family succeed in life and attending their sporting events. After retirement, Tom fell in love with growing pumpkins, tomatoes and rhubarb that was sought after by so many. He enjoyed teaching and sharing with his family the love of growing, harvesting and reaping the benefits of his hard work in the pumpkin patch and garden.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Francis, Wayne and Eugene.

Tom is survived by his wife of 63 years, Rita Mae (Anderson) Jefferis; four children, T.J. (Tammy) Jefferis of Barnesville, Susan (Dave) Hines of Barnesville, John (Robin) Jefferis of Barnesville, and Julie (Joe) Plumly of Barnesville; 15 grandchildren; Brian (Angela) Jefferis, Ray (Olivia) Jefferis, Jeff “Woody” Jefferis, Samantha (Tim) Welch, Tricia (Chris) Ford, Jessica Hines and fiancé Codey Leach, Amy (Aaron) Carpenter, Bud (Lacy) Hines, Heidi (Jourden) Yager, John Robert (Anna) Jefferis, Jenny (Kevin) Christmas, Kurtis Jefferis and fiancé Paige Huntsman, Beverly (Lucas) Prati, Allison (Dustin) Starr and Miranda Plumly; 32 great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law Carolyn Jefferis of Westerville; many nieces and nephews; and loyal friends Tom Booth and Terry Amos. 

In accordance with COVID-19 guidelines, face masks and social distancing will be required at visitation on Friday, January 22, 2021 from 4-7pm at Campbell-Plumly-Milburn Funeral Home, 319 North Chestnut Street, Barnesville, Ohio with a Vigil Service at 6:45pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, January 23, 2021 at 10am with Fr. Dave Cornett officiating at the Assumption Catholic Church, 306 West Main Street, Barnesville, Ohio. Burial will follow at Assumption Cemetery in Barnesville.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Tom's name to Bethesda Senior Center or the Assumption B.M.V. Catholic Church.

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