JEFFERY JOHNSTON

Jeffery was born in Chicago, IL on November 28, 1952, and was the only son of James Jefferson Johnston and Bobbye (Smith) Johnston.  Jeffery and his sister, Sharon, grew up in Chicago, surrounded in love from a large family of 5 aunts, 3 uncles, and a host of cousins.  He spoke very fondly of the moments he shared with his first cousins (each called “Cuz”), whom he loved like brothers and sisters.

When Jeffery was a teenager, his mother got remarried to Wilbert Leslie in 1966.  While serving in the Army, Wilbert was stationed in Mannheim, Germany.  The family moved there in 1968, and Jeffery graduated from American Mannheim Senior High School in 1971.

After high school, Jeffery joined the Air Force, and was himself stationed in Germany.  He completed 4 years, 6 months, and 29 days of service, information that he proudly conveyed whenever anyone asked about his military experience.  Upon discharge from the Air Force, Jeffery returned to the United States and moved to Kansas City, MO.  There, he became a Clerk at the United States Postal Service in 1977.  After 28 years on the job, Jeffery was blessed to retire from the USPS in 2005.

During his years in Kansas City, Jeffery’s only child, Jameelah, was born on March 11, 1978.  Jameelah still resides in Kansas City, and now has a son, Naseem Smith, born September 17, 2015.

In August 1996, while still living in Kansas City, Jeffery took a trip to Atlanta, GA for a weekend visit.  While there, he met Michelle Davis, and the two of them began a long-distance relationship.  In September 1998, Jeffery and Michelle were married in Copiague, NY.  Michelle’s family immediately embraced Jeffery as one of their own, and he became an integral part of every gathering.  During their 22 years of marriage, Jeffery and Michelle made homes in Delaware (1998), Texas (1999), New Jersey (2014), and then Texas again (2019), and raised three Jack Russell Terrier “children”.  The couple enjoyed extensive travel, both domestically and internationally, and Jeffery captured nearly every moment in professional-grade photographs.

In November 2012, Jeffery suffered a devastating spinal cord injury, which left him paralyzed from the chest down.  Although the injury dramatically changed his life, Jeffery did not allow it to crush his spirit.  He was grateful to have survived the event, and cherished every day as a gift from God.  He dedicated tremendous effort to regaining as much function as possible, and impressed even his medical doctors when he learned to drive with hand controls.  On several occasions each week, people commented on how inspired they were by Jeffery’s determination, positive outlook, sense of humor, and attitude of gratitude.

Those who remain to celebrate Jeffery’s life and cherish his memories include: His wife, Michelle Johnston, and her extended family; his daughter, Jameelah Johnston; his grandson, Naseem Smith; his stepfather, Wilbert Leslie; his sister, Sharon Kemp; his nephews, Maurice Kemp and Marlon Pass; his first cousins, Phyllis Crosby, Wilola Hill (Eugene), Oliver Dixon,  Greg Dixon, Renee Bridges (Horace), Paul Collins (Barbara), Leonard Collins, Audrey Slayton; a host of second and third cousins; and multiple friends from every state where Jeffery lived.

We praise God each day for the life that Jeffery led, for the testimony he shared, and for the many lives that he touched along the way.