Obituary of Herb Jeffries

[ edit ]

Herb Jeffries

Mr. Herb Jeffries (born September 24th, 1913 as "Umberto Alexander Valentino") died peacefully on the veranda of his house on May 25th, 2014 with his daughter nearby. His cause of death was assumed to be Heart failure. He was 100 years old when he passed.

Herbert is predeceased by his parents, Mildred Odell Jeffries and Umberto Balentino as well as his pet aardvark, Cooper.

Herbert is survived by his beloved wife Sarah Lee Shippen "Savannah" Jeffries, his children, son two sons and daughter three daughters, his siblings, brothers Howard Jeffries, Don Jeffries and sister Fern Jeffries.

Professionally, Herbert was a Musician who was best known for his dedication to music and his movies.

When he was not working as a Musician, Herbert was known for his love of model car building and he would spend a millennia most Mondays polishing it. Mr. Jeffries (the deceased) also spent weeks visiting with his older sister most weeks when he was able to spare a dozen a millennia. Ever since he was a boy in Detroit, many remember Herbert as a funny character with silly tales that saddened everyone. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a sizable donation to the Heart Foundation in Herbert's honor.



Please help us remember the life of Herb Jeffries by contributing to his obituary, his family tree, funeral, burial, his birth, family, career and death in the sections below.

[ edit ]

Herb Jeffries Biography Wiki:

    • Is He Dead or Alive: Dead
    • Full Name: Jeffries, Herbert
    • Common Name: Herb Jeffries
    • Gender: Male
    • Preferred Gender Pronoun: he/him
    • Birthplace: Detroit, Michigan, United States
    • Birth Date: September 24, 1913
    • Age: 100 (at death)
    • Also Known As: Herbert Jeffrey Ball, Herbert Jeffrey, the Bronze Buckaroo, The Sepia Singing Cowboy
    • Occupations:
    • Nationality: American
    • Favorite Food: Fritos Chips
    • Favorite Color: Lilac
    • Favorite Scent: Bleu de Chanel
    • Favorite Actor: Will Smith

    Herbert's Family Tree

    • Birth Name: Umberto Alexander Valentino
    • Father: Umberto Balentino
    • Mother: Mildred Odell Jeffries
    • Brother(s):
      • Howard Jeffries
      • Don Jeffries
    • Sister(s):
      • Fern Jeffries
    • Spouse/Partner:
      • Sarah Lee Shippen "Savannah" Jeffries (married 2008-his death)
      • Regina Rose Rochin (1989-?)
      • Tempest Storm (married 1959-divorced 1967)
      • ? divorced
      • Betty Allensworth (?-divorced ?)
    • Son(s):
      • two sons
    • Daughter(s):
      • three daughters

Death Notice:

  • Date: May 25 2014 at age 100
  • Place: Woodland Hills, California, United States
  • Cause of Death: Heart failure

Category Tags:

MusicianFilm Actor American Born on September 24th Born in 1913 Born in Michigan Died in 2014 Died at age 100 Died from Heart failure

Quotable Quotes:

"The word 'black' means 'a void', so I have never seen a black man. The word 'white' means 'lack of pigment', so I have never seen a white man either. There's only one race: the human race." (IMDB)

"Herbert Jeffries lived a remarkable life, leaving a lasting impact through his groundbreaking achievements in music and film. Though he may no longer be with us, his legacy will continue to inspire and educate future generations. (V)"

"Herbert Jeffries was a successful actor, singer, and popular cowboy star during the Golden Age of Hollywood, but unfortunately, he passed away due to natural causes later in life. (V)"

Is Mr. Herbert Jeffries still alive? According to our unconfirmed records, he has passed away.

Recent Deaths:

Diane Keaton 2012
Diane Keaton
Died October 11th, 2025 in Los Angeles, United States
Jane Goodall
Died October 1st, 2025 in Los Angeles, United States
Robert Redford
Died September 16th, 2025 in Provo, United States
Graham Greene
Died August 31st, 2025 in Stratford, Canada
Lonnie Anderson 2019 (cropped)
Loni Anderson
Died August 4th, 2025 in Los Angeles, United States

More Celebrity Bios:

Israel Kamakawiwoʻole
Born: May 20th 1959 in Honolulu, United States
David Gilmour
Born: March 6th 1946 in Cambridge, England
T Graham Brown
Born: October 30th 1954 in Arabi, United States
Merle Haggard
Born: April 6th 1937 in Oildale, United States
George Beverly Shea
Born: February 1st 1909 in Winchester, Canada

Related Links:

Community Comments:

Be the first to comment on Herbert's obituary.


Celebrity Obit Rating: 4 Stars
Wiki Page Updated: 2025-07-22 12:01:46
Author: Tucker
Confirmation: Herb Jeffries on Wikipedia


Contact Us  Terms of Use  Privacy Policy