Celebration of Life Services for Jefferey Lee Gripper, Jr. Friday, August 25, 2006 1:00 P.M. Elizabeth Baptist Church 4245 Cascade Road, SW Atlanta, Georgia 30331 The Reverend Craig L. Oliver, Sr. Officiating Jefferey Lee Gripper, Jr., a champion of youth athletic programs and outstanding community volunteer, was born on August 23, 1983, and made his transition on August 20, 2006. He was the beloved son of Jefferey Lee and Sheryl Riley Gripper. Jefferey attended Westlake High School and Atlanta Technical College. At the time of his death, he worked in the Circulation Department of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Prior to his employment at the Journal-Constitution, he was an employee of Gourmet Services, where he was named employee of the month. He was an outstanding athlete who excelled at baseball, basketball, football, and soccer. As the quarterback for the Cascade Youth Organization (CYO) football team, he led that group to its only championship. He was also the point guard on the CYO championship basketball team. His prowess as the kicker and star running back for the Westlake football team was covered extensively in the local media. As a young athlete, Jefferey was a pitcher and catcher on two championship Adams Park/CYO baseball teams- the Memphis Red Sox and the Birmingham Black Barons. Jefferey was gifted in the art of barbering, and he had planned to return to Atlanta Tech to earn his professional license. The members of his athletic teams often found their way to his home after games, where he gave them complimentary haircuts. As a volunteer in the Atlanta community, Jefferey used his barbering skills to benefit those served by the Atlanta Children's Shelter and by Hosea Feed the Hungry and Homeless, Inc. He was also a volunteer for the Sandtown Rockin' Knights Basketball Program. In addition to his parents, Jefferey will be dearly missed by his brothers, Ellis Gripper and Salah Ananse; his grandparents, Dolores Posey Harris of Waco, Texas, and Hermina "Myrel" Knight Gripper of Elgin, S.C.; his aunts, Debra Harris of Atlanta and Cassandra Gripper Belton of Charlotte, N.C.; his uncles, Willie Gripper, Jr. (Angela), Charlotte, N.C., Nicholas Gripper (Gwen), Charlotte, N.C., Danny Gripper (Nita), Wilmington, N.C.; and a host of cousins and friends. Jefferey was a "buddy" to a large extended family. His was a free and gentle spirit, a young man whom many called a true friend. PRELUDE PROCESSIONAL THANKS PRAYER OF CONSOLATION READING OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES The Old Testament The New Testament PRAYER SELECTION REFLECTIONS OBITUARY SELECTION EULOGY ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS RECESSIONAL POSTLUDE Elizabeth Baptist Elizabeth Baptist Judge Penny Reynolds Ambassador Andrew Young Rev. Jerry Griffin Kevin Johnson, 11 Alive Elizabeth Omilami, Hosea Feed the Hungry & Homeless Kathleen Bertrand Miranda Mack McKenzie Adam Jones Roosevelt Dunn Ken Campbell Rev. Reginald Wilborn, Union Baptist Myra Dixon Mike Jennings Salah Ananse Nicholas Gripper, Willie Gripper Ellis Nickerson Gripper (Read Silently) Kathleen Bertrand Rev. Craig L. Oliver, Sr. Debra Harris Elizabeth Baptist Elizabeth Baptist Westview Cemetery 1680 Westview Drive, SW Atlanta, Georgia 3031 0 (404) 755-6611 www.westviewcemetary.com Kyra Dixon Teante Huff Ashley Alexander Carla Turner Kea'Undra Owens Norrisa Singletary Pat Dixon Kurston Strickland Harvey Strickland Jonathan Newton Ali Harper Christopher Yarbrough Wesley Savoy Tim Cogdell Roderick Reese The~~ily~ould Ilk fkindnessand love exhibited following the passing of our beloved Jefferey. We are blessed to wonderful friends who have supported us during this difficult time. We pray that God will richly bless you and keep you in His divine care. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that tax-deductible donations be made to the Sandtown Basketball Program in care of Coach Anthony Knight, 145 Wolf Down Court, College Park, Georgia 30349. Elizabeth Baptist Church Bob Walker and WXIA-TV, 11 Alive 100 Black Men of Atlanta, Inc. Norris Singletary Adam 1/Pac-Man" Jones, Tennessee Titans Brenda Reid Ingrid Saunders Jones Miranda Mack McKenzie Janet Lane Martin, Spelman College Class of 1972 Scarlett Pressley Brown Rev. Ron Sailor, Christ the King Baptist Church H. Jerome Russell Helen Smith Price Brenda Wood Tiffany Cochran Karen Greer Sam Crenshaw Donna Lowry Pat and Myra Dixon Kathleen Bertrand Jocelyn Dorsey Angela Robinson Imara Canady Zee Bradford Evelyn Mims Donna and Roosevelt Dunn Robin Reid Gary and Brenda Lane Turner Pat Johnson Barbara Washington Kevin Johnson Sandra Ekong Roland Smith Haugabrooks Funeral Home 364 Auburn Avenue Atlanta, Georgia 30312 (404) 522-8217 www.haugabrooks.com