Virginia Jefferson was born as Virginia Adair Davis in Forest, Bedford County, Virginia, USA on 14 August 1912, to parents Alonza and Otelia Davis. She grew up on a farm with her eight siblings – four brothers and four sisters. In her youth, she did anything she could to help around the farm, which had cows, chickens, horses, pigs, and a garden.

Virginia married Malcolm Jefferson in April 1938. He died in May 2008. She taught herself how to play the piano, and used to sing in church choir at Altha Grove Baptist – the church she used to attend since she was young. She is a devoted member of the Forest church.

Jefferson said that she doesn’t know exactly what the key to a long life is, but attributes much of it to her hardworking demeanor and God.

Virginia Jefferson currently lives in Lynchburg, Virginia, USA.