Khalil Ross Jefferson
Honoring A Legacy
This page is dedicated to Khalil Ross Jefferson, an Air Force Veteran, community volunteer, and beloved brother and son who went missing on December 2, 2022 in Greenville, NC. We are honoring his memory by working to end the stigma around mental health and improve policies for the families of missing loved ones in our community.
Welcome
to Our Site
YOU ARE LOVED...
THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE!!!
GIVE A HUG TO GET A HUG...
LET'S WORK ON THIS TOGETHER...
WHEN I SEE YOU TOMORROW...
YOUR LIFE IS IMPORTANT TO ME. I LOVE YOU!
SOMEONE NEEDS YOU...
I'M LISTENING....
Where Can I Go For Help?
Click the pictures to be directed to local, federal, and online resources to assist you in your mental health journey.
United States Department
of Veterans Affairs
Origins
Counseling and Wellness
NAMI
Mental Wellness Resource
Morning Light Counseling
Teletherapy Services
Yellow Ribbon
Suicide Prevention Program
My Loved One is Missing, What Do I Do Next?
Report your loved one missing as soon as you have established they can not be located. Authorities can conduct a well person check even if you are not in the same city or vicinity as your loved one. You do not have to wait 24 or 48 hours to contact authorities about your missing loved one.
Be The Difference
Khalil's story is his alone.
It does NOT have to be yours. Or anyone else's. Help us to commit to a different outcome for each of our loved ones.
We, the family and loving friends, have personalized locks in remembrance of our Hero. Join us in placing these locks within our community, throughout our great nation, and across the world for others to be reminded to write a new story. A story more powerful than any lies the constant struggles of mental health can tell you.
Continue scrolling for more ways to make a difference.
Lock it in!
Join us in placing these customized locks within your community, across our great nation, and throughout the world for others to be reminded to write a new story in remembrance of our hero.
Take a lock with you on your evening stroll, your next trip out of town, gift it to a friend, or place it somewhere close to you. Get CREATIVE! Wherever you choose to place a lock, know that you can be the beginning of a new thought process for individuals struggling for a reason to write a new story.
The locks are free for pickup at the following locations in Williamston, NC: Forget Me Not Florist beside of Domino's, Food Lion, Shaw's Barbeque, Quality Inn, and Zuuaa Mart of Williamston, NC.
If you are out of town or simply prefer shipping, please order a lock here on our site. The cost covers shipping. If you have any issues with ordering, please reach out to khalilrossjefferson@gmail.com.
Donations are accepted via Paypal-sononajefferson@gmail.com.
Mental Health Resources
Positive Outcomes
Tap the links below to research resources for positive mental health.
Vocational Rehabilitation
Find what works… for you!
Assistance finding work is at your fingertips. State, Federal, and Locally funded Community Rehabilitation Programs are located throughout the United States. Find your local Vocational Rehabilitation Program committed to serving you. The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS) helps people with disabilities achieve their goals for employment and independence. If you have a barrier that prevents you from achieving career success or independence in the community of your choice, DVRS can connect you to services and resources to help you meet your goals.
Director: Kathie B. Trotter
Assistant Secretary for Employment and Inclusion: Chris Egan
Our Testimonials
Friends and Supporters of Positive Mental Health
Khalil was part of this boy scout troop with my son, Lois Cole Beck 's son Andrew Beck, Shelia Bonds Turlington 's son Jon Tyler, Janice Diehl's son Jack and Tammy Hayes' son Wade. These boys were thick as thieves back then. RIP Khalil 💔
Susan Parrot Tyson
Mann I hate I’m typing this rn.. Sorry I couldn’t find the strength to see you during my bday 🖤 Lol they told me not to post this pic but thru flaws and all I’m rockin witchu ! They don’t even remember summer days being in Pizza Hut felt like 5star restaurant 😂😂 U messed us up with this one but the way the community came together and supported u was beautiful dawg! I pray u found peace🙏🏾 continue to guide and look over your mom and your inseparable siblings 💜
Sean Ridley
There is not a day that goes by that I don’t think of him or his family. Prayers for peace and comfort.
Heather Persington
You never know what someone is dealing with. Hard to believe he’s gone this way. He was a great friend and guy n never judged anyone. He surely will be missed. Even on his worst days he made sure u were ok. I made this edit for anyone who wants to use it as there pfp.
Apryl Duvall
Working With the Best
Click the pictures to learn more about those that helped bring Khalil home.
All The Necessary Steps
Finding Our Son
Our mission was simple. Find Khalil. But the path to locating him was not.
It is our desire that by sharing our story, we can aid in prevention, location, and resolution for families.
The following links are a behind the scenes look at the efforts needed to search for and locate our son. The pictures can be clicked in the following order: Interview with Loudwater Outfitters, media press conference, WCTI Channel 12 and WITN Channel 7 media clips, our Candlelight Vigil, and Community Homegoing Services in honor of Khalil.
Location Services
Khalil was missing for 5 weeks before he was located with the assistance of a search team out of South Carolina along with his family and a couple of very caring members of the community. The search team was composed of Loudwater Outfitters, Pamlico Sleuth, and Cedar Point Shepards and SAR.
If you or your family needs assistance in locating a loved one, the group can be reached on Facebook or YouTube under Loudwater Outfitters.
Other local organizations that took part in community searches were Xplorer Kayak Tours of Wilson, NC and Riverside Recreation of Greenville, NC. Both provide Kayak/River tours in Eastern NC. Check out both on their respective social media platforms via Facebook and Instagram. Links to each are available on the Khalil Jefferson home page.
Keith W. Cooper, Director of the Benevolence Corps found on Facebook assisted on community searches and led the essential public press conferences.
There are many independent groups across the US that can assist families in searching for their loved one. They will need to speak with your local law enforcement before starting to ensure there are no discrepancies with outside resources being utilized. Feel free to reach out for names of additional organizations that aid in missing persons or to help us to add to the list.
Take Action
Report
Report your loved one missing as soon as you have established they cannot be located. Authorities can conduct a wellness check even if you are not in the same city or vicinity as your loved one. It is NOT necessary to wait 24 or 48 hours to contact authorities. Yes, you will feel awkward if they simply are having a bad day or if their phone isn’t charged. But you will have taken an important step if they are indeed missing and need assistance being located.
Gather
Gather recent pictures prominently showing your loved one's face for the police department and all forms of media.
Protecting your loved one’s privacy is important. Finding them is essential. Be specific with details in order to do both.
Document
Document your efforts and keep law enforcement informed at every step. Law enforcement is there to help, however, depending on the circumstances, the brunt of the search may be on you. Don’t be discouraged. Additional resources are available.
Get the “Word Out”
Unless discouraged by law enforcement, rally the community. You will be surprised by what you learn that can help you to find your loved one. Tangible items such as flyers or handouts will increase community involvement. Remember, wording is key. Be specific. Ensure you provide accurate contact and identifying information for tips from the community.
Therapy and Counseling
Don’t forget to stop and assess where you are in your search. Talking out your progress with a less emotional party is essential in moving forward.
Additional Resources
If you ever hear those dreaded words… resources have been exhausted. Maintain your stance. There is still hope. Remember, churches and community organizations are here to help. Don’t hesitate to reach out.
Your community leaders have committed to assisting individuals in need. Learn your local community activists before it is necessary to do so.
Khalil Ross Jefferson
Our beloved, Khalil (Arabian for friend) Ross Jefferson was born July 14th, 2000 at 7:13 am 13 minutes before his twin, Khira Ruth (Hebrew for friend) Jefferson to Sonona R. Jefferson and Terrance L. Hyman.
Khalil grew up in Williamston, NC and attended Riverside High School, Martin Community College, and Pitt Community College. He entered the Air Force in 2019 and proudly served in Germany at Spangledahm Air Force base before returning home.
Khalil was extremely athletic excelling in any sport he attempted. While his first love was soccer, he could often be found playing basketball, skateboarding, exercising, nature walking, and swimming.
Khalil had a quiet, peaceful, protective nature the world loved.
We the family and friends of Khalil loved him with every fiber of our being. There was no way not to. His passing will forever leave a hole in our hearts that can't be mended. We are so grateful for the time we had to fellowship with him. To know Khalil was to have a friend. A partner. An ongoing support. He loved quietly with strength and honor.
So why are we here?
Mental health affects all of us. Pain isn't always obvious.
Find the signs. Know the Words. Reach Out.
If Love could have kept you here, you would have lived forever.
