Rebecca Becca / Beck / Becky Ravenell Jackson

Rebecca Ravenell Jackson was born on January 6, 1938 to William and Martha Ravenell, in Berkeley County, South Carolina. Initially born into a Methodist home, her family joined the Adventist Church in the 1940s, after her father, while reading the Bible in bed, became convicted that he should begin to observe the Sabbath on the seventh day of the week (Saturday), “…according to the commandment” (Luke 23:56). As a child, Rebecca learned the art of homemaking and gardening from her mother; and also spent many long, hot, days working in the fields of her father’s farm. She attended Berkeley County Public Schools, and in 1956, graduated from Russellville High School in Saint Stephen, South Carolina.

After high school, Rebecca moved to Tennessee. No stranger to hard work, Rebecca worked her way through Nursing School as a Colporteur - graduating from Madison College in 1962. Having become a Registered Nurse, she then moved to Washington, D.C. to begin her career at Freedmen’s (now Howard University) Hospital. She went on to work for Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Community Group Health, Kaiser Permanente, the U.S. Coast Guard, and even found time to “moonlight” on weekends, at The Washington Post, before retiring.

Rebecca was a true Southern Belle. She was especially known for her regal “Church Lady” hats. It was while attending The First SDA Church in Washington, that she was noticed by a handsome U.S. Army Medic (Frank E. Jackson, Sr.), who remembered having seen her before – visiting his hometown of Birmingham, Alabama. This time, he decided to talk to her; and within five months, she had agreed to marry him, on his birthday, in 1965. To their union was born her “only begotten” son: Frank E. Jackson, II. She was a dutiful mother, and remained a faithful member of her church – having served with the Usher Board, the BOTSMOTA (Be of the Same Mind One to Another) Ladies Club, and the Discipleship Ministry Team. In 2013, Rebecca was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award, for her 50 years of service to the Church. Though a reserved woman in public, privately, she was a tireless prayer-warrior, was often sought-out for her wise counsel, and was known to have at least one Bible (often heavily-marked) in nearly every room of her home.

As the years wore on, Rebecca began to experience more frequent episodes of severe joint and back pain. She was looking forward to relief from some of that pain, when she entered Providence Hospital on August 23rd, for knee-replacement surgery. Though the surgery was successful, she developed complications while sleeping at a rehabilitation facility; and spent her final days in the ICU at Washington Adventist Hospital. She died peacefully, on Sabbath, September 3rd, at 11:00 a.m. Rebecca is now eternally relieved from her aches and pains, and will be laid to rest with family, in her hometown of Saint Stephen, South Carolina.

Of her nine siblings, Rebecca is survived by her dearly beloved sister: Emily R. Reid (of MD); and four brothers: James (of PA), Joseph (of NJ), Charlie (of NJ), and Bobby (of MD) Ravenell. Her Son (Frank), Daughter-In-Law (Lesley), four grandchildren (Alle, Noah, Eddie, & Moe) - as well as extended family and friends, too numerous to mention - will miss her terribly. Nevertheless, they take comfort in knowing that she “shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day” (John 11:24).

Replay of funeral service (09Sep2016) is available via YouTube at: www.chcsda.org

Arrangements under the direction of Fort Lincoln Funeral Home.