Lavinia Jefferson

Lavinia A. Jefferson, affectionately known as (LOU), 94, of Poughkeepsie, NY, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family, on November 28, 2025.

Lavinia was born to the late Maria Jones on April 4, 1931, in Newburgh, NY. She was educated in the Poughkeepsie School District. Lavinia raised her children by pressing shirts in several cleaners in the area, retiring from SS Cleaners after 30 or more years of hard work.

Miss Lou was a social butterfly. She loved to laugh and talk with family and friends. She loved going to church (Smith Metropolitan AME Zion Church) on Smith St. She had a fondness for planning bus trips to Englishtown Flea Market in NJ and Broadway plays.

For a person who didn’t drive, when asked if she needed a ride she would say “Don’t worry about me, I’ll get a ride” and give you that “pretty” smile she had. She will be missed!

Lavinia was predeceased by her mother Maria Jones, lifelong companion Willie (Buster) Marable, brother Charles (Huss) Smith, and goddaughter Juanita Thurston.

She leaves behind her brother Peter Johnson, two children Robert C. Mac Neil and Tina M. Allen (Bradley), six grandchildren: Shameeka Tillery-Perez (Thomas), Azuree Allen-Laing (Branden), Willique Allen (Samantha), Tima Maddox (Mitch), Takiyah Rashid (Sadat), and Tivona Mac Neil; four great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson; as well as nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.