Jefferson was born on May 31, 1947, to Joseph H. and Omega T. Jefferson. He graduated from St. Stephens High School and then attended Claflin University, where he earned a B.S. in 1970. Jefferson also attended the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy Magistrate School in 1999. On May 30, 1970, he married Deloris Livingston and the couple has 3 children, Trena Mack, Marva Patterson, and Joseph III. Jefferson was a Specialist Assistant to Congressman Mendel Davis from 1972 to 1980, Chairman of the Berkeley County School Board and represented the Sixth Congressional District as a member of the South Carolina Department of Transportation Commission from 1994 to 1998. Jefferson served as a Magistrate Judge for Berkeley County for 32 years.
