Shirley Byrnes Jackson

Shirley B. Jackson went to be with the Lord peacefully at her home on Thursday, August 27, 2015. Mrs. Jackson was born and raised in Mount Holyoke, Massachusetts who later achieved a B.S. in Nursing from Boston University. While attending Boston University she was a member of Phi Beta Phi Fraternity for Women. Shirley then married Robert F. Jackson on February 13, 1955. Shortly after marriage, Bob was stationed in Ludwigsburg, Germany with the United States Army. They returned to the United States and resided in Yorktown Heights, NY. After raising her two daughters, she returned to nursing and completed her M.A. of Education at New York University. Thereafter, she became an Associate Professor of Nursing at Pace University in Pleasantville, NY.

She and Bob retired and moved to Kingsport in 1984. As an avid reader, Shirley supported the Kingsport Literacy Council. She served as a tutor, President, board member and a tutor trainer. She is a member of First Broad Street United Methodist Church, active in the Sojourner and New Fidelis Sunday school classes, Forever Young, Josie Reed’s Bible class and Circle #2 United Methodist Women. In addition to her parents, James Edward Byrnes and Theresa Bertha Parks Byrnes, she was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Robert F. Jackson; and her brother, John Byrnes. She is survived by her siblings, James Byrnes and Phyllis Baran; her daughters, Susan Girgis and Diana Pecktal and her husband, Joseph; four grandchildren, Samantha Smawley and her husband, Lee, Jacqueline Garcia and her husband, Joe, Robert Pecktal and Katharine Pecktal; seven great-grandchildren, Shelby, Amanda, Thomas, Leilani, Adam, Zoe and Nathaniel; several nieces and nephews; and many dear friends. A Memorial Service will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Monday evening, August 31, 2015 at First Broad Street United Methodist Church Chapel. The family will receive friends following the service in the church parlor. A graveside service will be held on Tuesday morning, September 1, 2015 at 11:30 a.m. at Mountain Home National Cemetery in Mountain Home, TN.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Broad Street United Methodist Church, 100 E. Church Circle, Kingsport, TN 37660 or to the Literacy Council of Kingsport, 326 Commerce St., Kingsport, TN 37660. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.eastlawnkingsport.com. East Lawn Funeral Home and Memorial Park has the honor of serving the family.