Person Page - 487

     Hazel was born on 28 December 1918.¹ She married Henry Kelly, son of John Wiley Kelly and Ethel Weaver, circa 1935.¹

     John was born on 24 May 1931 at Texas, Missouri, United States.¹ He married Laura Ellen Jefferson, daughter of Wayne Otto Jefferson and Cornelia Eleanor Kelly, on 30 November 1963 at Washington, District of Columbia, United States. John died on 15 March 2001 at Columbia, Howard, Maryland, United States, at age 69. He was buried on 31 March 2011 at Cantrell Cemetery, Licking, Texas, Missouri, United States.

     Laura was born on 21 February 1934 at Gainesville, Alachua, Florida, United States.¹ She was the daughter of Wayne Otto Jefferson and Cornelia Eleanor Kelly. She married John Jackson Platter, on 30 November 1963 at Washington, District of Columbia, United States. She died on 18 November 2022 at Rockville, Montgomery, Maryland, United States, at age 88. She was buried at Cantrell Cemetery, Licking, Texas, Missouri, United States.
     Biography of Laura Ellen Jefferson:

OBITUARY
Laura Ellen (Jefferson) Platter
FEBRUARY 21, 1934 – NOVEMBER 18, 2022
IN THE CARE OF
Joseph Gawler’s Sons, LLC

Laura Platter passed away while peacefully sleeping on Friday, 18 November, at 3:36 PM. Funeral arrangements will be arranged privately.

True to form, Laura left this world with style and grace. At 88, she left us too early, though with a legacy we shall strive to live up to throughout our own lives. No amount of words can adequately capture the essence of a person's life; here are a few to give you insight and to show our gratitude for having been made better by knowing her.

Laura was kind, loving, and elegant. Descending from and guided by a long line of independent, accomplished women and men, Laura didn't hesitate in the pursuit of challenges, adventure and equality. A lover of art and travel, she was passionate about other cultures and, in particular, Asian Art. She was generous with her time and volunteered for many years at the Freer and Sackler Galleries of Art, the League of Women Voters and the German-American Spouses Club, among many others.

Laura was an independent woman who did not wait to do things she was interested in and traveled the world to experience new cultures and meet new people. Growing up in multiple states and in Puerto Rico, graduating from Florida University after also attending George Washington University and Stephens College, and studying Chinese in her professional career inspired her to visit many countries and most continents during her lifetime. She was a true citizen of the world who thoroughly enjoyed the journey of life.
We remember her as a loving and generous citizen, friend, wife, mother, and grandmother who is leaving the world a little bit better than she found it.

She is survived by sons Robert, Bruce, and Dave; grandchildren John, Aidan, Haley, Tenzin, and Teo; brother Wayne; and numerous relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, John; parents Wayne and Eleanor Jefferson; brother James; and sister, Sarah.

Laura will be buried at a future date with her husband, John, in Licking, Missouri. We give grateful thanks to the staff at Ingleside at King Farm for the loving care they provided to Laura.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made tothewalters.org/support/donate.

     Wayne was born on 23 June 1907 at Hillsdale, Michigan, United States.¹ He married Cornelia Eleanor Kelly, daughter of James Homer Kelly and Birdie Love Swords, on 25 December 1932 at Gainesville, Alachua, Florida, United States. Wayne died on 31 March 1988 at Gainesville, Alachua, Florida, United States, at age 80. He was buried at Evergreen Cemetery, Gainesville, Alachua, Florida, United States.

     Cornelia was born on 13 May 1913 at Mayo, Lafayette, Florida, United States.¹ She was the daughter of James Homer Kelly and Birdie Love Swords. She married Wayne Otto Jefferson, on 25 December 1932 at Gainesville, Alachua, Florida, United States. She was buried at Evergreen Cemetery, Gainesville, Alachua, Florida, United States.

     James was born on 11 July 1940 at Gainesville, Alachua, Florida, United States.^1,2 He was the son of Wayne Otto Jefferson and Cornelia Eleanor Kelly. James died on 12 May 1967 at Vietnam at age 26. His body was buried on 20 October 2000 at Evergreen Cemetery, Gainesville, Alachua, Florida, United States.
     Biography of James Milton Jefferson:

The remains of James J. Jefferson were recovered in Vietnam, identified, and interred in Gainesville, Florida on October 20, 2000. James had been Missing in Action since May 12, 1967. [Laura Platter]

     James was born on 17 December 1878 at Taylor, Florida, United States.^1,2 He was the son of John Reuben Kelly and Cornelia Eleanor Kitchens. He married Birdie Love Swords, on 27 December 1908 at Fitzgerald, Ben Hill, Georgia, United States. James died on 29 November 1954 at Gainesville, Alachua, Florida, United States, at age 75.

     Birdie was born on 15 October 1888 at McRae, Tefair, Georgia, United States.^1,2 She married James Homer Kelly, son of John Reuben Kelly and Cornelia Eleanor Kitchens, on 27 December 1908 at Fitzgerald, Ben Hill, Georgia, United States. Birdie died on 9 December 1966 at Gainesville, Alachua, Florida, United States, at age 78.³

     John was born on 14 October 1909 at Mayo, Lafayette, Florida, United States.^1,2 He was the son of James Homer Kelly and Birdie Love Swords. He married Christine Cato, on 28 July 1934 at Alachua, Florida, United States. John died on 9 February 1988 at Gainesville, Alachua, Florida, United States, at age 78. He was buried at Evergreen Cemetery, Gainesville, Alachua, Florida, United States.

     Hazel was born on 18 June 1911 at Mayo, Lafayette, Florida, United States.¹ She was the daughter of James Homer Kelly and Birdie Love Swords. She married Roy Mahaffey, on 15 September 1935 at Gainesville, Alachua, Florida, United States. Hazel died on 11 August 1977 at Gainesville, Alachua, Florida, United States, at age 66. She was buried at Evergreen Cemetery, Gainesville, Alachua, Florida, United States.

     Lillie was born on 16 November 1917 at Mayo, Lafayette, Florida, United States.¹ She was the daughter of James Homer Kelly and Birdie Love Swords. She married Phillip Patrick Carroll, on 17 March 1945 at Rising Sun, Baltimore, Maryland, United States. Lillie died on 17 July 1995 at Wilmington, Delaware, United States, at age 77. She was buried at Evergreen Cemetery, Gainesville, Alachua, Florida, United States.

     Jimmy was born on 4 October 1915 at Mayo, Lafayette, Florida, United States.¹ She was the daughter of James Homer Kelly and Birdie Love Swords. Jimmy died on 9 April 1918 at Mayo, Lafayette, Florida, United States, at age 2.

     Christine was born on 10 November 1912 at Alachua, Florida, United States.¹ She married John Reuben Kelly, son of James Homer Kelly and Birdie Love Swords, on 28 July 1934 at Alachua, Florida, United States. She died on 21 January 2006 at Gainesville, Alachua, Florida, United States, at age 93. She was buried at Evergreen Cemetery, Gainesville, Alachua, Florida, United States.