Johnny B. Jefferson was born on May 1, 1940 in Atlanta, Georgia to the parentage of Johnnie Blues Jefferson and Minnie Lee Jefferson. His family moved to Dallas, Texas and he attended Booker T. Washington High School, where he later graduated in 1963. He went to trade school and became a licensed Journeyman Electrician. He worked in homes and businesses all over Dallas, Fort Worth, and Houston, Texas. He was especially proud to have worked on the construction of the World Trade Center and the Anatole Hotel in Dallas. He also had the opportunity to travel to Alaska and work on the Alaska Pipeline.
Johnny enjoyed painting, refurbishing old parts, gardening, yard work, and working on his truck. He loved family gatherings where he could fire up the grill, listen to music (Rhythm and Blues, Motown and Gospel) and dance the night away.
Johnny was preceded in death by his father, Johnnie Blues Jefferson; his mother, Minnie Lee Jefferson; his sisters, Drew Ann Wordlaw, Hattie L. Jackson, Sadie Phinnisee, and his baby sister, Chick. He is survived by his ex-wife, Pearlie V. Jefferson; daughters, Cynthia Andrews, Rosalyne Stern and Janice Jefferson (Warren). He leaves behind two son-in-laws, Patrick Andrews and Joe Warren and grandchildren, Adrienne and Anastasia Andrews, Jarrett Warren, Antonio Scott and Chastity Canady. He also leaves behind a host of nieces and nephews.