Ms. Deja Shalon Jefferson

“1st Giving Honor To God”

DeJa Shalon Jefferson was born on April 15, 1992 to Lisa Ptomey and David Jefferson in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  She was baptized at an early age and would profess her love for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to anyone that she met. DeJa was a strong woman of faith.  She enjoyed spreading the gospel and ministering to others in her own way.  She was known for providing inspiration on social media and would post daily as soon as she woke up “1st Giving Honor To God”, which displays her commitment to giving honor where honor was due.  Her faith never wavered.

DeJa was raised in Greensboro, N.C. where she attended James B. Dudley High School.  DeJa then moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where she graduated from North Gate High School’s class of 2010. While there she met and married Jamar Archie, Sr.   DeJa was a loving and compassionate Mother who was blessed to have three beautiful children Jai’Lynn SaKya Archie, Jamar Ronell Archie,Jr.  and Jae’Shawn Scott Archie.  Her daughter Jai’Lynn, shared these things about her Mother; “She was a hype girl and a supporter. She always makes time for me and my brothers.  She always makes time for people”.   

After graduating from High School DeJa attended Empire Beauty School where she became a licensed Cosmetologist and Nail Technician.  She then returned to Greensboro, NC to raise her young family.  She recently became a licensed piercing artist and was currently studying tattoo art in order to become a licensed tattoo artist. She had plans to open her own tattoo and piercing studio.  After the closing of DeJa and Jamar’s chapter, she found love again.  DeJa met her life partner and love , Fiancé’, Jimmy Jeffrey. She gained bonus daughter, Zion, whom she loved dearly as her own. They also shared two fur babies, Ricky RoZay and Remy.

DeJa was employed at the Boys & Girls Club of High Point as an Afterschool Team Lead & Teacher.  She loved children and nurturing the youth. She was relatable, open minded and could be counted on to provide words of wisdom and a laugh. She was a support system for her students and she encouraged them to work towards their goals. DeJa was passionate about helping the next generation develop into well rounded, caring, ethical young adults that contribute positively to society. She was a positive role model in the lives of many.

DeJa attended New Hope Worship Center in Lexington, North Carolina. DeJa was a warrior who knew the power of prayer and seeking God. She was strong willed, never quitting regardless of any obstacle that life presented her. She handled every situation with grace, resilience, fortitude and great strength.  She would say “Through it all I still praise him in advance. I know that greater is coming. Through it all I’m not giving up. My storm is almost over”.  She believed in Gods promise.

DeJa loved to be in front of the camera. She was very photogenic. She was the Queen of selfies and she loved a good photo filter, especially the glitzy fluffy ears and nose. She was a fashionista and loved to dress! She showcased different styles, trends, patterns, fabrics and bold colors in her daily attire. She often loved to experiment with her hair and wigs, you never knew which hair style or hair color she would be rocking.  Her tall buns were also a signature style of hers.  DeJa was a glamour girl who was passionate about glam.  She loved her makeup, lashes and always made a statement with her choice of lip colors or vibrant eye shadow color.  Don’t forget, her eyebrows had to be perfect! They were always arched and snatched honey (for the Gods)! She was that girl!

DeJa was a gifted woman of vision. She was multifaceted and had many talents. She was a go getter and she accomplished anything that she set her mind to.  There was nothing that could derail her from reaching the goal.  She was a goal smasher and she prided herself on turning her dreams into reality.  DeJa’s slogan was “Going after everything I was told I couldn’t have and more”.  She did just that. She was an entrepreneur and owner of two small businesses.  “Pretty Girl Buzz” where clients could purchase customized unique adult beverages for any occasion and “Pretty Girl Lash” where clients could get luxury lashes.

DeJa had a larger-than-life vivacious personality and a large radiant smile to match.  She had such a bright disposition and she lit up any room that she entered. She was full of life, love and light. DeJa was the life of the party! She loved to have a good time and she had fun in any environment. She loved music and she liked to dance. She loved being around others, especially family and friends. She was the true definition of a people person.  DeJa was always the loudest, boldest and most energetic person in the room. She had big energy! There was never a dull moment around her. She made every room lit! DeJa was truly a light, a shining star that had big goals and dreams for her future ahead. She was a genuine, beautiful soul both inside and out.

DeJa loved to cook for her family and for others. She would cook anything that you requested, and she was very creative with her meal execution, especially her soul food down home cooking.  She liked to showcase her food design and plating skills, especially on social media. Her food was savory and always made with love. You couldn’t just eat one plate. She definitely had skills in the kitchen. The kids will tell you how much they loved their Momma’s food! 

DeJa was the definition of loyalty. She was a ride or die sister, daughter, niece, cousin and friend. She did not play about those that she loved, especially her family and close friends.  She was a trusted confidant to many because of her consistency and commitment to supporting others.  She loved hard and those that she cared about she would go above and beyond for. She was a protector of her family and friends. She reliable and could always be called for advice, a good laugh or the one to call if you needed someone to ride out in order to handle business. She was a supporter of many.  She had a servant’s heart and would give anything that she had to anyone in need. She took any opportunity to give back and assist anyone in need because she had been blessed. 

To her immediate and extended family, DeJa was a huge jokester and loved by all.  She was the family captain of the North Carolina district and she gave herself the job title of “Family Reporter”. DeJa made sure that the connection and communication to the family throughout the country was never broken.  She created family pages and group chats to share information with one another. Each year she posted birthdays, anniversaries, births and major life moments. It was very important to her that the family was informed of all events/milestones and celebrated with one another. How she kept up with all of this information we will never know but she stayed on top of it. If you needed information on anyone, ask DeJa and she would definitely know! She also was the co-planner and organizer for family reunions and get togethers. Seeing everyone together brought her pure joy. She was in the midst of co-planning her Grams 95th birthday party with her cousin planning partner, Ja’Van.

DeJa received her wings and joined her master on April 29, 2023. She was preceded in death by Scott Jefferson (Paternal Grandfather), Yolanda Ptomey (Maternal Grandmother), Linda Jefferson Bennett (Aunt), Cynthia Jefferson George (Aunt), Lionel Brown (Cousin), Lattoya Jefferson (Cousin), and Ryan Elyes Shaw (Nephew). 

DeJa is survived by her mother, Lisa Ptomey and Father David Jefferson, Sr.  Children Zion Jeffrey, Jai’Lynn, Jamar and Jae’Shawn Archie. Brothers Demetree Ptomey, David Jefferson, Jr. and fur brother Lincoln Town Car.   Special Sister, Rissy Frost and Margaret Ann Marie. Fiancé Jimmy Jeffrey. Paternal Grandmother, Reverend Ann Jefferson. Uncles Pastor Scott Jefferson, III (YoVonne) and Elder James Van Jefferson,Sr. (Sunshine), Aunt Elder Charlene Jefferson (Jay). She also leaves a host of cousins, great cousins, and friends that will cherish her memory. 

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