Joan Kathryn Wells Jackson is my mother and was my best friend. She was my first role model and the first Christian in my life. Mother knew that I credited her for all the things I like most about myself; watching and listening to her live everyday life influenced me more than anyone and it always will. And she knew that, too.
Joan was the middle child born January 25, 1937 in Houston, Texas to Vollie Edward and Addie Florence Kendrick Wells. Her siblings are Eddy Wilburn Wells (deceased) and Sylvia Ann Wells Mize, who lives in Conroe, Texas with her wonderful husband, Bobby Mize.
She attended Jefferson Davis High School and Southwestern Business College in Houston, Texas.
Joan married her high school sweetheart, T.J. Jackson, Jr., and they were married 49 years.
She began working as a secretary at age 16 for Travelers Insurance Company. From there she began a career in the Mortgage Banking Industry as an executive secretary. She served as a Committee Member and Secretary of First Mortgage Co. of Texas Employees Thrift Plan and a Board Member and Secretary of their Federal Credit Union. Next, she worked for Intercontinental Mortgage Co. until she retired to take care of her mother.
Mother’s career reflected her personality. She paid attention to detail and took pride in her work and her appearance. She often said, “if a thing is worth doing, then do it right and try to do it right the first time. Do your best and give God the credit”. And wow did she do both of those beautifully!
She leaves behind to treasure her memory her daughter Sharon Bradley, her sister Sylvia Mize and her husband Bobby, her two grandchildren Andrea Bradley Harper and her husband Jay, Keith “Allen” Bradley II and his wife Rarfias “Raf”, her five great-grandchildren: Dantes Kayanan, Benjamin “Ben” Allen Bradley, William “Liam” Ezra Bradley, Stella Louise Harper, and Kathryn “Kate” Abigail Bradley, as well as, nephews: Michael Mize and wife Karen, Charles Mize, Greg Mize and wife Melissa, Mark Wells, Curtis Wells, Paul Wells and his wife Renee, Glen Briggs, Nathan Briggs and his wife Lisa, numerous cousins and friends.
She was preceded in death by her father and mother Vollie and Addie Wells, brother Eddy, her loving husband T.J., and cherished son-in-law Keith Bradley.
