Jeffery Wayne Sellers

Jeffery Wayne Sellers was born Nov. 26, 1963, to Melvin Lonnie Sellers and Norma Yvonne Sue Sellers at Homestead Air Force Base in Florida. As the son of a Coast Guard Lieutenant, he grew up on bases in Miami, Mobile, Ala., New Orleans, Saipan and Charleston, S.C., before his parents settled in Lakeland, Fla.

From a young age, it was apparent to many that Jeffery had a love for learning. While attending Ferndale Baptist School, his second-grade teacher fondly remembered him carrying an encyclopedia around school. He also attended the University of South Florida, majoring in English, and envisioned working in the film industry as he knew how to tell a great story and accompany it with the right music.

His ability to organize a great presentation and storytelling transferred to his work at The Indianapolis Recorder newspaper where he served for 32 years in the Art Department to ensure each publication (newspaper, EN Magazine and the Indiana Minority Business Magazine) was designed to deliver the stories of people and communities in the best possible way to inform, educate and uplift. He also worked on many ads and presentations aligned with the Recorder’s partnerships and sponsorships, such as the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Indiana Black Expo, and various health care organizations. Recorder colleagues and others often spoke of his character as being kind, creative, tenacious, hardworking, collegial, and fun-loving.

Although working at the Indianapolis Recorder was a passion for him, his greatest love was his family. He cherished time with his wife of 28 years, Tysha (whom he met at the Recorder) and his three children, Raphael, Gabrielle, and Anna. He was ever present and engaging in homelife in many ways. He valued spending time with his family and would support their hopes and dreams without judgment.

Jeffery was a lover of life and the arts. He’d often watch a vast array of movies, whether they be classic films, international flicks, or modern comedies and TV shows, including classic and new Dr. Who, Dragnet, Murdoch Mysteries, Good Eats, The Simpsons, and Last Week Tonight. He sang every day, often watching his favorite music videos on repeat. He was always learning, sharing facts and knowledge, and telling new stories. He always had a joke ready. He shared facts and knowledge. He enjoyed eating and cooking new food. Life was always a new adventure for the family, spontaneously driving to different places to “check them out” and spending hours in stores to ensure no discounts on usable items were missed. Jeffery also enjoyed sitting outside on sunny days listening to music and tech podcasts. He loved collecting comic books and books in general. He was ecstatic when the custom-made bookshelves arrived to house the hundreds of books stacked along the walls. As an Apple Inc. aficionado, having a PC in the house was frowned upon, but he gradually warmed up to allow only one in the house and ensured all family members were tech savvy.

Jeffery was beloved. Jeffery was loved by his family and many others, and he loved people in return. He genuinely cared about other people’s interests and stories and would soak them up like a sponge. He would often talk about all of his family members and say how grateful he was to have them in his life.

Tysha, Gabrielle and Anna would tell people how he gave the best hugs and messages of “I love you.”

Although he battled many health issues, throughout his health journey, Jeffery kept a positive mindset and recently courageously fought to return home to his family and beloved dog Cici before ultimately succumbing to those health issues on May 17, 2025. Jeffery was adamant about being a donor. As such, he was able to support three lives — a testament to his caring spirit.

Jeffery will be forever remembered as the loving, kind, and hopeful man with a sparkle in his green eyes, dreaming of peace, love, and joy for all people.

Jeffery is survived by his father Mel, brother Bob, wife Tysha, son Raphael (with Rebecca [Bibbs] Holleman), daughters Gabrielle and Anna, dog Cici, and many family members and close friends. He was preceded in death by his dear mother, Sue.

Celebration of Life Memorial Service for Jeffery Wayne Sellers

Thursday, June 5, 2025

North United Methodist Church

3808 North Meridian Street

Indianapolis, IN 46208

10 a.m. Wake

11a.m. Service