Linda Delores Villarreal Jackson

Linda was born on March 25, 1968, in Caldwell, Idaho, to Lorenzo and Anita (Lerma) Villarreal. She attended schools in Wilder, Idaho. In 1985, Linda moved to Corpus Christi, TX with her parents and siblings. While in Corpus, Linda attended Del Mar College. She moved to Austin in 1993. She worked in sales and state government for several years prior to beginning her career as a government meeting planner.

Linda worked diligently to build her career as a government meeting planner, eventually becoming a certified government meeting planner. She was active in the Austin Society of Government Meeting Planners (SGMP). She served on the SGMP’s Board in several capacities, including as president. Linda, along with other SGMP colleagues, was instrumental in chartering an SGMP Chapter in San Antonio, TX. In addition, she served as president of the new San Antonio Chapter.

SGMP members describe Linda as a person who was always willing to assist the Chapters in any way that she could. She volunteered her time mentoring new planners and she was the recipient of several service awards. She also started her own meeting planning business, Linda Villarreal & Associates. Through her energy and determination, she grew her business and was fortunate to work with many clients.

Linda leaves a legacy of compassion, strength, and generosity. She never hesitated to reach out to family and friends, staying connected and offering assistance and support. Linda will be remembered as a giving person who enjoyed helping others.

Linda is survived by her mother, Anita Villarreal (Austin, TX); her sister, Christina Villarreal (Austin, TX); and her brother Roberto Villarreal (Tulsa, OK). She prided herself in being a great Auntie to Michael Lorenzo Soto (Austin, TX); Xzavier and Skylier Villarreal (Tulsa, OK); DJ Dubouzet (Austin, TX); and Destiney, Jorge and Estrella Garcia (Wilder, ID). In addition, she is survived by her aunt, Belinda Almeida (Wilder, ID); her cousins, Monica Dubouzet (Dane) (Austin, TX) and Jessica Almeida Garcia (Rigo) (Caldwell, ID). She left behind several close relatives who loved her dearly in Oregon and California. She also will be missed by her former spouse, Tracey Jackson (Corpus Christi, TX) and her brother-in-law, Walbert Soto (Austin, TX).

Linda was preceded in death by her father, Lorenzo Villarreal; her grandparents, Acension and Julia Villarreal and Camilo and Delores Lerma; her uncles, Ruben Lerma; Daniel Villarreal; Pablo Villarreal; and her aunt, Agueda Garcia.

We would like to acknowledge the wonderful staff at Seton Hospital Main and the Seton Heart Institute. We thank Dr. Clay Cauthen, his staff, and all of the amazing people at Seton Hospital who spent countless hours with Linda and provided her the very best medical care available. We also want to acknowledge Dalia Torres, our cousin from Oregon; Jessica Almeida Garcia, our cousin from Idaho; and Belinda Almeida, Linda’s aunt, all of whom travelled to Austin to help us care for Linda. Finally, we are grateful to Linda’s dear friend, Jim Zukowski, for all the time that he spent with Linda while she was in the hospital.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to one of Linda favorite charities, the Central Texas Food Bank.

As per Linda’s request, there will not be a public funeral service.