Robert Jefferson

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Robert Harris Jefferson, Jr., on June 3, 2026. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Bobby touched the lives of many and will be deeply missed.

He was born on December 1, 1937, in Thomasville, Georgia, to the late Robert Harris Jefferson, Sr. and Lillian Jones Jefferson.

Bobby was born at Archbold Hospital in Thomasville, Georgia, and was raised in Cairo, Georgia. Active in scouting, he attained the rank of Eagle Scout. He was in the Cairo High School band for three years. He graduated from Cairo High School, a member of the class of 1956, and was President of the student body his senior year. Following high school, he joined the U.S. Army and served 16 months in South Korea. He earned a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Emory University in 1962. While at Emory, he was President of Kappa Alpha Fraternity.

After graduating from Emory, he began a career in banking, working for Thomas County Federal Savings and Loan Association for 41 years. He was elected President in 1971, and then served as Chairman of the Board until he retired in 2004. He served as Chairman of the League of Savings Institutions in 1974. He loved his work at the bank, his employees, and his customers.

In 1961 he married Sue Stacy of Montgomery, Alabama, who survives, and they have been married 64 years. Bobby and Sue have two sons, Robert Harris Jefferson III M.D. (Penny) of Sandy Springs, Georgia, and Stacy Jones Jefferson (Cindy) of Bremen, Georgia, and three grandsons, Jacob Stacy Jefferson (Alyson) of Acworth, Georgia, Andrew Harris Jefferson of Villa Rica, Georgia, and William Chase Jefferson of Villa Rica, Georgia.

Bobby was an active member of First Baptist Church in Thomasville, Georgia. He was privileged to serve on the Fellowship of Deacons and was elected Chairman three times. He loved church music and was a long-time member of the adult choir. Bobby and Sue, along with Jimmy Clanton, Howard and Robbie Floyd, and other members, started a ministry at Twin Oaks Trailer Park which lasted 6 years. Bobby considers being called a Christian his greatest honor.

Bobby loved his community and was active in civic and community affairs:

Scoutmaster Troop 304

40-year member and President-Thomasville Kiwanis Club

Member-Cherokee Foundation Board of Trustees

Member and Chairman-Thomasville/Thomas County Chamber of Commerce

Board member and Chairman-Thomasville City Board of Education

Board member-Music and Drama Troupe

Board member and Treasurer-Glen Arven Country Club

Trustee and Chairman-Archbold Health Services

Trustee and Treasurer-Archbold Medical Center

Member and Chairman-Salvation Army Advisory Board

Member and Chairman-American Cancer Advisory Board

Thomasville Man of the Year in 2013

He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters-in-law, Beverly Langston Stacy and Marilyn Lowry Jefferson, and brother-in-law Louis Henry Schwoebel.

He is survived by his sister, Anne Jefferson Schwoebel and his brother, Frederick Duskin Jefferson (Chris), and brother-in-law Luther David Stacy, M.D. (Anne).

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Samaritan's Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, North Carolina 28607. Services will be held at Thomasville First Baptist Church's Sanctuary on Saturday, June 6, 2026, at 2 pm. A private burial will follow at Laurel Hill Cemetery.