Thomas "Tommy" Legru Jefferson

Thomas L. Jefferson, a former resident of Braymer, Missouri, passed away on Friday, July 20, 2012, in Carrollton, Missouri. Thomas L. Jefferson, age 98, son of James and Lena (Fletcher) Jefferson was born April 19, 1914 at Mussel Fork, Missouri. He graduated from Marceline High School in 1933. He was united in marriage on September 5, 1937 in Sumner, Missouri to Martha (Fisher) Jefferson. They moved from Odessa to Braymer in 1941 when Tommy became manager of the Mattingly Store. He worked as a store manager at the local elevator and feed store. Tommy was the owner and operator of Tommy's Café and Tommy's Drive-In in Braymer for 31 years before retiring in 1978. Tommy is a member of the Braymer Baptist Church, former mayor of Braymer, member and a past Worshipful Master of the Masonic Lodge 135, past Worthy Patron and a member of the Eastern Star 441, past President of the Braymer Chamber of Commerce, past President and organizer at the Senior Citizen's Center, member and past Chairman of the Caldwell County Democratic Organization, member of the Braymer High School alumni, and honorary FFA member. Survivors include one son, Tom Jefferson and wife Chris of Aurora, Colorado; one daughter, Jeanie and husband James Baker of Blacksburg, Virginia; one son-in-law, Charles McElwee of Braymer, Missouri; nine grandchildren; and ten great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Martha Jefferson; one beloved daughter, Leanna McElwee; seven brothers and four sisters. Funeral services will be held at Braymer Baptist Church, Braymer, Missouri, on Monday, July 23, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. A family visitation will be held at Lindley Pitts Funeral Home, Hwy 116 West, Braymer, Missouri, on Sunday, July 22, 2012, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friends may call at Lindley Pitts Funeral Home, Hwy 116 West, Braymer, Missouri, on Sunday, July 22, 2012 from 12 noon until 9:00 p.m. Burial will be held in Evergreen Cemetery, Braymer, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be made to the Leanna McElwee and Martha Jefferson Scholarship Fund and may be left at or mailed to Lindley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 47, Chillicothe, MO 64601. Online condolences may be left at www.lindleyfuneralhome.com . Arrangements are under the direction of Lindley Pitts Funeral Home, Braymer, Missouri.