December 4, 1924 — March 24, 2021
Helped break racial barrier at Ohio Bell
As a young woman Helen Jefferson had big dreams to become an actress in New York City; instead, she pursued studies at North Carolina A&T University. Soon after she met and married the love of her life, Mitchell Lee Burney. They married and proceeded to raise five children, Helen was a devoted wife, mother, and career woman.
The oldest of seven siblings, Helen was one of the first black women to work at Ohio Bell, currently known as AT&T. Ohio Bell was an early target of the Future Outlook League, the phenomenally effective civil rights advocacy group that operated in Cleveland from the mid-1930s until about the early 1950s. Starting as an elevator operator, Helen was continuously promoted until she reached management level. She worked at Ohio Bell for 25 years before retiring.
A devout Catholic, Helen was an active member of Christ The King Church where she served as Lector. In 1989 she was commissioned as a special minister of Holy Communion. As a Eucharistic Minister she served communion to the community in need including residents at the McGregor before she became a resident.
Helen was an elected board member of the Catholic Women's Guild.
Helen came out of retirement after volunteering as a tutor in the public school system. She was recognized by the East Cleveland Board of Education for her continuous support of children as they develop reading skills. An avid volunteer, Helen was a familiar sight in the community through nonprofit organizations like St. Vincent DePaul, Capuchin Soup Kitchen, and various food banks.
Helen was a seasoned traveler, she was a member of a travel club, she cruised the seas and traveled the world. She enjoyed bowling and belonged to a woman's bowling league for several years.
Helen’s first passion was her family and she loved to host the best family gatherings that became holiday tradition. She created an ambiance in her home that would draw family, friends and neighbors. She was known for her culinary skills: using recipes from scratch and her exquisite desserts like her famous carrot cake and peach cobbler. Family members recall the delicious smells and the sound of jazz and blues that filled the air with love and soul.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents Anna Lou Jefferson and Fred Harrison Jefferson and her siblings Edna Townsend, Fred Jefferson, and Bertha Halloway. She is survived by her five children, Theresa Lee, Rosalind Geredine, Mitchell Burney Jr. (Amy), Calvin Burney (Dawn), and Michelle Simmons (Andre); brothers Thomas Jefferson, William (Gloria) Jefferson, and Daniel Jefferson; 15 grandchildren — Bobby Craig, Earl Lee, Nia Geredine, Cordeyah Lee, Phonecia Burney, Bettena Burney, Brian Simmons, Ashley Simmons, Erika Simmons, Lacie Hudson, Dominique Burney, Michael Simmons, Christopher Simmons, Alexa Burney, and Calvin Burney Jr. Helen also had 30 great- and great-great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, and other relatives whom she adored.
A funeral mass will be held Wednesday, March 31 at 11am at the Communion of Saints, 2175 Coventry Rd. [44106]. A one-half hour wake will precede the Mass.
Public viewing hours will be Tuesday, March 30 from 12 noon until 4:45pm. at E. F. Boyd and Son Funeral Home, 2165 East 89 St [44106].
• • •• • •
