William Thomas Jeffers

W.T. Jeffers was called home to be with his Good Father on Monday, June 11, 2012 following a heart attack at his home in Sand Springs, Oklahoma. He was 86 years old. W.T. (William Thomas) was born May 25, 1926 in Blaney, South Carolina to Furman and Catherine Jeffers. He graduated from Columbia, South Carolina's Olympia High School in 1942. He attended Emanuel Bible College in Georgia, and received his bachelors degree from University of Richmond in Virginia where he was a standout 'scatback' for the university football team. He earned a Master's Degree in Psychology and Philosophy from the University of South Carolina. On August 16, 1946, W.T. married Rose Marie Steinmann of Richmond, Virginia. They met in 1945 while she was a junior in high school. He remembered first meeting Rose after he played a piano solo at her church where she was a member of the choir. The following week, he asked her out. A year later, they were married. Hearing God's call, W.T. became a minister, pastoring churches in Virginia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Oklahoma'with Rose serving as pianist or organist in all of the churches. W.T. also was elected to the South Carolina Legislature in 1952. In 1956, W.T. and family moved to Tulsa where he became a member of the Oral Roberts Evangelistic Team. There, he served as editor-in-chief of Oral Roberts' publications and directed the Abundant Life Choir. In 1960, W.T and Rose co-founded World Changers, Inc., a non-profit youth development and educational organization for disadvantaged Native American children. In 1976, they proudly opened Discoveryland! ' the National Home of Rodgers & Hammerstein's OKLAHOMA! W.T. enjoyed working with members of his family in these organizations for nearly 50 years. He touched countless lives with his compassion for others and his infectious smile. W.T. was preceded in death by his parents, and his wife Rose who died in 2011. They were married 63 years. He is survived by his son Bill Jeffers and his late wife Kaye of Jenks; son Duane Jeffers and wife Lisa of Sapulpa; daughter Rosemary Beckham of Jenks; daughter Caroline Burleson and husband Earl of Grove; son Paul Jeffers of Tulsa, son Steve Jeffers of Tulsa; three sisters Nadine Bigby, Miriam Gardner and Blondell Rodgers and her husband Rabon all of Columbia, South Carolina. W.T. was lovingly known as 'PaPa' to his fourteen grandchildren and 'G-Pops' to his fourteen great grandchildren. His grandchildren are: Kristi Busatti and husband David of Hutchinson, KS; Melanie Cummisky and husband Butch of Tulsa; Jennifer Kaiser and husband Chris of Bixby; Amber Niemann and husband Andy of Tulsa; Amy Brown and husband Greg of Jenks; Trey Jeffers and wife Ashley of Jenks; Beau Beckham and wife Lindsay of Oklahoma City; Julie Coombs and husband Adam of San Diego, CA; Jason Jeffers and wife Jessica of Escondido, CA; Jonathan Jeffers of Los Angeles, CA; Victoria Nielsen of Grove: Tim Nielsen of Grove; Ashley Jeffers of Sapulpa; Carter Jeffers of Sapulpa. His great grandchildren are: Quinn Cummisky, Jasmine Beckham, Christian Kaiser, Calvin Cummisky, Lilly Kaye Busatti, Jordan Brown, Colton Kaiser, Camden Busatti, Brylie Jeffers, Cade Kaiser, Beck Neimann, Kayde Grace Kaiser, Jaxsen Jeffers and Hunter Coombs. Arrangements were entrusted to Daniel C. Schaudt of Schaudt's Glenpool Funeral Service & Cremation Care. Family and friends may send condolences to the family online at www.schaudtfuneralservice.com