Carol Sue (Cannon) Jackson, 76, beloved mother and grandmother, passed peacefully from this life on October 28, 2020, surrounded by her children and grandchildren. While we grieve that our time with her was much too short, we also know she lives on in the very best parts of each of us.
Carol was born on January 2, 1944, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the only child of Iris Marie (Bradford) Cannon and James Leonard Cannon. Carol was the light of her parents’ lives and they showed her by example that family and faith were precious treasures. Growing up, Carol spent holidays and summers with her parents traveling to places like Lebanon, Missouri and small towns in Oklahoma like Hulbert and Locust Grove to visit with great grandparents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins from both sides of the family. She recalled these as some of the happiest times of her life. Carol was raised in the Baptist tradition and, along with her parents, was a member of Osage Hills Baptist Church and later Gilcrease Hills Baptist Church, both just a few blocks from her home. As a young adult, Carol played the organ and piano in church and at other special events. She loved the hymns she learned and played often during these years—“He Lives,” “Softly and Tenderly,” “In the Garden,” “Because He Lives,” “Blessed Assurance,” “The Old Rugged Cross.” Later, her faith and love of music would draw her to Calvary Baptist Church in Alexandria, Louisiana, where she was an active member until she moved to Austin in 2015.
Carol graduated from Tulsa’s Central High School in 1962. In 1963, she married Gerald (Jerry) Jackson, a classmate and friend she’d known most of her life, and settled in Tulsa, OK. By 1968, Carol and Jerry had three children—Becky, Greg, and Brad. Over the years the family would live in Orlando, Florida (1969-1972), Austin, Texas (1972-1981), Baton Rouge, Louisiana (1981-1984), and Alexandria, Louisiana (1984-2015). She made wonderful homes and life-long friends in each of these places, but she’d tell you in a minute that Austin, TX was the city that held her heart.
Carol worked outside the home for many years, first in the front office of a dental practice in Baton Rouge, and later at a dental practice in Alexandria, LA. Carol enjoyed her jobs. But her true vocation was making a home for, supporting, and nurturing her family. Carol loved being at home and wondered how anyone could find homemaking boring or unfulfilling. She was always busy, whether working in the yard, preparing meals, running errands, supporting her husband and children, driving to Dallas to take care of her grandchildren, or making her home beautiful and comfortable.
Our mother loved to travel and she was fortunate to travel all over the world with our father, the love of her life. She also loved LSU football, Willie Nelson, Lipton Instant Iced Tea, and her beloved rescue shelties. She was fun and funny, gracious, kind, and thoughtful. She was always impeccably dressed with a beauty queen smile at the ready for every one she encountered. She made breakfast every morning and dinner every night. She became a fierce advocate for her youngest child, Brad, insisting that he receive the same education and opportunities her other children received during a time when such things couldn’t be taken for granted. Later, she made sure Brad had meaningful employment. Where there were few opportunities, she created them. She spent her entire life preparing Brad for his life and making sure he would continue to thrive after she was gone.
Becky remembers talking to her mom almost every day on the phone; laughing with her and telling stories; watching Hallmark movies together; shopping and eating out; and the countless road trips her mom and Brad made to visit her. Greg describes her as the family quarterback whose daily guidance and mentoring kept the Jackson team in play. He recalls that she graciously and willingly hosted all of our friends, never missed her children’s activities no matter where or how far, and was always her kids’ biggest fan. Brad recalls their road trips together, their Sunday mornings at church, their shopping and lunches out, and the walks they took with their dogs. Her grandchildren remember her love for them, her hugs, and the world-class chili they asked her to make any time they were all together.
Our mother never took center stage—she didn’t like that kind of attention—but she centered our lives. She lived the truth of Maya Angelou’s words: “I will look after you and I will look after anybody you say needs to be looked after, any way you say. I am here. I brought my whole self to you. I am your mother.”
Carol is survived by her daughter, Rebecca Lynn Jackson of Austin, TX; her son, Gregory William Jackson (Gina Gentry Jackson) of Dallas, TX; her son Bradford Allen Jackson of Austin, TX; and her grandchildren Will, Sam, and Jack Jackson of Dallas, TX.
She is preceded in death by her father, James Leonard Cannon; her mother, Iris Marie (Bradford) Cannon; and her husband of 48 years, Gerald (Jerry) William Jackson.
The family would like to thank the nurses, caregivers, and staff at Auberge Onion Creek Memory Care and Silverado Barton Springs Memory Care for the devoted attention and love they showed our mother over the last several years. We especially want to thank Marisela Rivas-Cervantez and Brenda Tillis who loved and cared for our mother as if she were their own.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. For the safety of all who attend, COVID restrictions (mask wearing and social distancing) will be in place.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Marbridge Foundation at the link below.
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