Ruth A. J. Jackson

Ruth A. J. Jackson, 74, of Springfield, left us to celebrate her life on September 20, 2008. Ruth, Miss Ruth or Nana was born April 8, 1934 in Houston, MS to Toiles and Sarah Crawford. She was a graduate of Houston High School, Houston, MS and the CNA program of St. John's Hospital, Springfield, IL. Nana's love and compassion was evident in all facets of her life. Having held the hands of numerous new mothers as a CNA in the OB/GYN ward of St. John's Hospital, organizing and chairing community meetings in the 70's and 80's to usher in urban renewal in her neighborhood, opening her home to family and friends on New Year's Day to begin a tradition of "The Family Dinner", to serving as an usher and founding member of the Guiding Lights at Monroe Street Christian Church. Miss Ruth was a mother and mentor to everyone she met whether at her employment with St. John's Hospital for over twenty five years or her "retirement job" with the Springfield, Urban League. She expected those around her to take an active role in educating every child and caring for every senior citizen, as demonstrated by her membership in Monroe Street Christian Church, Guiding Lights, the Springfield Chapter of the NAACP, the Springfield Chapter of The Urban League, the Springfield Urban Renewal Project, Lincoln School PTA and the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois. Nana will join her daughters Michelle Y. Jackson and Terri R. Jackson and her parents, Sarah and Toiles Crawford. She leaves to lead the celebration her best friend and husband, George S. Jackson; their children, George E. Jackson and Eugene (wife, Tracey) Jackson both of Springfield, Jennifer C. Jackson of Rock Island and Vanessa J. Jackson of Atlanta, GA; their grandchildren, Damien E. Jackson of Springfield, Adrian Jackson and Danielle Jackson both of Hazelwood, MO; their great-grandchildren, Ciara Kellus, Camden Dowers and Harmonee Cunningham all of Springfield and Taymiyyah and Qasim Jackson both of Hazelwood, MO; brothers and sisters, William (wife, Annie) Crawford of Akron, OH, George (wife, Kat) Crawford, Willie J. (wife, Shirley) Crawford, Della Reese, Ada Wofford, Otis (wife, Gertrude) Crawford and Toiles Crawford all of Springfield, Maggie (husband, Bobby) Moore, Carl (wife, Sherre') Crawford both of Davenport, IA and Francis (husband, James) Davis of Milwaukee, WI; brother and sister-in-law, Rahman (wife, Rashieda) Ali and Mary Etta Jackson both of Springfield; along with fifteen nephews and fifteen nieces and a host of cousins and life long friends. Nana will continue her lifelong philosophy of aiding others, as her earthly remains will be donated for medical research through the Anatomical Gift Association of Illinois. Memorial ceremonies will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 25, 2008 at Monroe Street Christian Church, 1229 E. Monroe St., Springfield with Rev. James A. Johnson and Anthony Crawford. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice Care of Illinois, 720 N. Bond St., Springfield, IL 62702, or to Seven County Kidney Fund, 701 N. 1st St., Springfield, IL 62701, or to IH Mississippi Valley Credit Union, 4206 5th Ave., Rock Island, IL 61201 where an educational fund has been established in the names of her great-grandchildren. The family of Ruth A. J. Jackson is being served by Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield.