Maria Christina Jefferson (Ria)

Maria Christina Jefferson (Ria) was born April 4, 1936 and passed away July 29, 2017.

Maria was born in Lokop Sumatra, Indonesia to Henry Lovi August Koks and Christina Wilhelmina Luois Koks. Both her mother and father were Dutch citizens. Her father was on assignment in Indonesia for the Dutch Army at the time of Maria’s birth.

During WWII when Ria was young she and her family were interned in a Japanese internment camp in Indonesia. After the war, the family was given the choice to remain in Indonesia or return to her father’s homeland of Holland. Ria, her sister and brother moved to Holland, Europe in 1946. Ria applied to come to the United States of America when she was 17 years old. At 24 she was accepted as an immigrant to the United States of America. Ria made the Transatlantic crossing with her husband Fedor Simons and her 2 young sons, Ricardo and Jeffery in April of 1960. After being in the USA for just a few years, Ria decided that she wanted to become a citizen of the United States. She then took all of the formal steps necessary to attain US citizenship and proudly became a naturalized citizen of the United States of America.

Ria met the love of her life and married Parnell (Jeff) Jefferson in 1971. Their love drew them to the beautiful mountain community of Camp Nelson California where they built their home and made many lifelong friends.

Ria is survived by her husband Parnell, Son Rick (wife Sharon), Son Jeffrey (wife Conni) 7 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.

At Ria's request, she was cremated and no services are to be held.