Jimmie Sue Jackson

Jimmie Sue Willingham Jackson was born April 10, 1926, to Olivia Smith Willingham and John Willingham in Point Peter, Georgia and she transitioned peacefully the afternoon of June 16, 2023, in Naperville, Illinois. She was the fourth of twelve children born to the union. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Theodore Roosevelt Jackson, eight of her brothers and sisters, a son, Floyd Willingham, daughter-in-law, Thelma Jackson, son-in-law, Gregory Manuel, a great-grandson, Jackson Harrell and a great-granddaughter, Madison Davis.

Jimmie made her home in Chicago, Illinois where she met Theodore Roosevelt Jackson when she got into his taxicab. He gave her his number and told her to call him whenever she needed a ride. The rest is beautiful history. On January 14, 1950, they were married and welcomed six children into their family, Floyd, Jerry, Norma, Cathy, Theresa, and Eric. Jimmie and Roosevelt were lovingly together as a team until his death on October 7, 1975, and she never remarried.

Jimmie developed a love of and expertise in fashion design at an early age and became an accomplished seamstress. She was employed by select bridal companies around the Chicago area, including Sears Roebuck Design Department in the Sears Tower, Carson Pirie Scott’s Bridal Salon in downtown Chicago, Fishman Fabrics in the South Loop where she offered guidance and advice to fellow designers, and customers alike. Jimmie lovingly designed and made wedding dresses and bridal veils for her daughters and granddaughters, evening gowns, majorette costumes for the Chicago Bud Billiken parades, cheerleading uniforms, and special event wear for those who were fortunate enough to receive one of her creations.

She was a woman of deep and enduring faith. In the 1960's, she became a member of the Worldwide Church of God and continued teaching her family the value of a relationship with God. Her faith enabled her to continue as a young widow with three children at home, move from a stay-at-home wife to a full-time financial provider and pay off the mortgage on the family home. That faith carried her through the travails of dementia and was a magnet to those that saw the light behind her eyes and the love and care she freely gave to those that knew her with no regard to whether they were living in the family neighborhood of Roseland or visiting her at Alden Estates of Naperville.

Jimmie loved reading and would send books and articles if she thought it would be a benefit to you. She enjoyed discussing business ideas and concepts for self-improvement as well as offering counsel of support, encouragement, and motivation to anyone who came into contact with her. She would console you when she thought that was necessary and she would give you a kick in the pants when you needed that too! She had a way of delivering the truth that would resonate and push you to get up, dust yourself off, and keep going. Her pearls of wisdom will live on in her family and friends.

Jimmie leaves a large legacy to cherish her memory and celebrate her life. It includes her five children: Jerry Jackson, Norma Manuel, Cathy Harrell (Larry Harrell), Theresa Walker (Thomas Walker, Jr.), and Eric Jackson (JoAnn Jackson).

18 grandchildren: Floyd Willingham, Jr., Deneen Gillespie (Walter Gillespie), Wendi Manuel-Scott (Kevin Manuel-Scott), Monica Manuel (Michael Clayton), Derek Harrell (Allison Harrell), Erick Harrell (Qiana Harrell), Kendall Harrell (Kristen Harrell), Thomas Walker, III, Lauren Tyson (Benjamin Tyson), Brittney Elizabeth Walker and Eric Jackson, II.

14 great-grandchildren: Jordan Willingham, Myles Gillespie, Madelyn Gillespie, Miles Manuel-Scott, Langston Manuel-Scott, Tyler Burch, Tiana Hazzle, Preston Harrell, Christian Harrell, Kennedy Harrell, Talia Harrell, Logan Harrell, Maxwell Harrell, and Roman Harrell.

Two sisters, Johnnie Bolton and Franzetta Goolsby, and a sister-in-law Ann Willingham along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. (A brother, Herman Willingham, made his transition on June 30, 2023, and a sister-in-law, Ella B. Willingham, made her transition on June 26, 2023.)

Visitation for Jimmie will be from 10:30-11:30 AM on Monday, July 10, at Blake-Lamb Funeral Home, 4727 W. 103rd, Oak Lawn, where a Funeral Service will then take place at 11:30 AM. Interment Lincoln Cemetery to follow.