Courtney Jefferson

COURTNEY SELENE CLARK JEFFERSON "to grant to those who mourn in Zion---to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called the oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified." (Isaiah 61:3, ESV). Born December 31, 1969, in Chicago, Illinois, to Dorothie Taylor and Thomas Buford, Clark Jr, Courtney grew up in a loving family that teasingly reminded her that they could have named her "Deduction." It took a few years for her and older sister, Tracey, to get the joke. The Clark family relocated to Denver, Colorado when she was an infant. She later attended Ash Grove Elementary and was graduated from George Washington High School. The first book she read without assistance was James and the Giant Peach. That exploration in the world of words, ideas, and adventure fueled her innate desire to create. Courtney loved to read! She loved learning! She loved the creativity of writing that an active imagination engendered! A lifelong love affair resulted, ultimately, in helping to guide children and youth as both teacher and middle school principal. One summer when she was around ten years old, her aunt Marie told Courtney that she was descended from African queens. "You're royalty!" her aunt declared. Convinced, Courtney adopted purple to symbolize her newfound identity. Courtney was most proud of her work with the Colorado AIDS Coalition and other nonprofit agencies. Colleague and friend Paul Dysart, Jr reminisces, "My Courtney "CoCo" Jefferson, you will FOREVER be my angel! Devastated by the news of your sudden passing, I will make it my mission to pass along the joy you brought into my life. I will NEVER forget the day we met, the places we worked together…the church services we attended, the choirs we sang in. I was supposed to be the one to get to see God FIRST, Boo, but you just HAD to beat me to Club Heaven to get your mansion before me. My God, am I going to miss you! Rest in Heaven, my friend." "And gladly would (s)he learn and gladly teach." The Canterbury Tales Teaching became Courtney's mission and passion. Evidently, she'd forgotten what she'd declared while growing up. She'd tell her mom, "I don't know why you ever became a teacher. That's something I'd never do." Well, she did, beginning in the classroom and ending as the middle school principal of a Roca Fuerte Charter School. When illness prevented her return to the role of principal, she volunteered countless hours as a tutor. An introspective woman with an intuitive grasp of the needs of youth, she spoke words of motivation, whether to the students she'd meet at Walmart or when she'd meet a stranger who needed the compassion of a yielded heart. When she learned of Courtney's transition, a mother expressed her gratitude in a text," Thank you for tutoring my daughter. She went from straight-Fs to straight-As so quickly!" "There is a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole…" Courtney accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior during her teenage years. More than quoting Scripture, she began to live the Word in her relationships with others. Never judgmental, she exercised the Platinum Rule, to do unto others as they would want you to do unto them. When diabetes forcefully invaded, Courtney continued to teach until 2013 when the devastation of the disease resulted in hospitalization and surgery. After a prolonged recuperation, her indomitable spirit reasserted itself and Courtney began her "second career" as a volunteer. She also embraced a journey that drew her closer to her Father. The "War Room" deeply influenced her. When her dear prayer mentor, Reverend Jan Madsen, gave her a copy of the book's study guide, she remarked that it helped her "walk through the valley of the shadow of death." Perhaps even now, she is completing her lessons "where the streets are paved with gold." "Those we love don't go away, they walk beside us every day": Daughter, Sister, Friend Courtney learned early to trust people and the world within her small nuclear family, comprised of father and protector, Tom; only sibling and first best friend, Tracey; and Rachonda Dixon, sister for 32 years, (yes, we can have more than one "best friend). Rachonda and Courtney met in middle school and remained "joined at the hip" until Sunday, April 9, 2017. Her mom, Courtney would explain from the time she was six or seven, "doesn't allow for comparisons. She says Tracey and I are two unique individuals. She loves us "Africa full of elephants and India full of tigers." Years later, she responded to her students in the same manner. In August 1995, Courtney and Todd Jefferson united in holy wedlock. And while the marriage succumbed, their friendship remained solid until her transition. In addition to her nuclear family, Courtney and Tracey were blessed with many "aunts" and "uncles." While the extended family contains too many names to cite, aunts Jennifer; Jacalyn; Joyce; "Little Bitty" aunt Betty; "Bird;" Nancy; and Edna; and uncles Sam; Philip; Greg; and Frank became the center of the village it takes to rear a child. For those whose names are not listed here, know that you held a special place in Courtney's heart and development. Often overused, it is true that Courtney never met a stranger. The world fascinated her but people even more so. She opened herself to adventure and challenges of all stripes. Her mantra to them---as well as family---always was, "It'll get better. Just wait. Tomorrow's a new day." Too numerous to mention, her friends added richness to her life. There were no subtractions, only additions. Furry friends also became her family: Milo, her rambunctious Blue Heeler; Kira, her sensitive Siamese; Lexi, her Maltese "niece' and Kai, her long-haired Dachshund "nephew." Our family is most proud of Courtney's decision to become an organ and tissue donor. According to the Donor Alliance, she will "befriend" many, many others throughout the world through this generous act of love. "Going up yonder, going up yonder, going up yonder to be with my Lord" Frankly, we have no idea the number of lives that Courtney intersected with or touched. We send out special thanks to Christian Scott, whom our Father sent to Courtney as a herald of love, "no strings attached!" His compassion, goodness, and loving care reverberated from the onset, and continues to reverberate to the core of our being. We rejoice to welcome him as the most recent and wonderful addition to Courtney's family. Parents, Dr. Dorothie T. Clark, and Thomas B. (Evelyn) Clark, Jr; sisters, Tracey B. Stanley and Rachonda Dixon; niece and nephews, Corbin Stanley and nephews, Kennedy Roberts and Cade Stanley, Denver; former husband, Todd Jefferson; Aunts Lucy Mitchell, CA; Debra D. (Stephen) Delasbour and Stephanie Clark, TX; Vel Rogers, IL; Jennifer Taylor, CO; uncles, Sam Taylor,(CO) Denver; Winston L (Julia) Clark, TX; Martin L. (Amanda) Clark, TX; cousins, including: Lt. Colonel (ret) Dawne Davis; Judie Rogers, Esq; and Robb Rogers; Alicia M. Robertson TX; Crystal N. Robertson, KY; Jayna Taylor, CO; Seth Taylor, CO; Darnell (Angel) Sykes, Betty (Walter) Taylor, CO; Rose, Aleasha, Michael, Danielle, and Jamal Sykes; Rashan (Lenaise) Clark, a host of cousins, other relatives, and friends are left behind to celebrate her. Both sets of grandparents; her aunts; Gwendolyn "Ann" Harris and Patrice Clark; uncle, Ronnie Clark; cousins, Walter, Patrick; and her beloved infant nephew, Philip Anthony Clark have welcomed to her heavenly Home.

Funeral Home: Pipkin Braswell Funerals and Cremation - 2050 Uinta Street, Denver, Colorado
Service: 4/22/2017 at 12:00 PM - Glory to Glory Christian Center - 1620 South Abliene Street, Unit G-T Aurora, CO
Family Gathering: 4/22/2017 - Following the Service Glory to Glory Christian Center - 1620 South Abliene Street, Unit G-T Aurora, CO