Virginia C. Jackson

JACKSON, Virginia C. age 84, of Brooksville, died Saturday, July 12, 2014 at HPH Hospice Care Center.  She was born in St. Petersburg, Florida, where she was the president of Rio Vista PTO, a girl scout leader and a den mother. Virginia moved to Brooksville in 1970 and began her extensive volunteer work by becoming active in the Hernando Head Start program and the Hernando Association of Retarded Citizens. She was Hernando County Historian for over 30 years.  She served as Director of the Hernando County Historical Society and was actively involved with the Hernando Heritage Museum, Brooksville Historical Train Depot and the Hernando County Extension Program and Cannery until she retired in 1987. She was a staff member of both the Pinellas County and Hernando County Public School Systems and was cafeteria manager at First United Methodist Church, Brooksville. Virginia has written more than 25 books on the history of Hernando County. She donated the proceeds from all her books back to the Heritage Museum of Brooksville. In 1998, she received the Humanitarian of the Year award. She also recieved an award from T.O.R.C.H. In November of 1998 Virginia was appointed to the Board of Advisors of the Tampa Regional Preservation Citizen Support Organization by the Secretary of State, Sandra Morthan. In 2001, Virginia spearheaded the restoration of the 1885 Russell Street Train Depot. She received grants from the division of Historic Preservation State of Florida. She has been collecting genealogical information and documents for the benefit of the public. In 2004, Virginia was voted the Great Brooksvillian by the city of Brooksville. As a director the the Train Depot, Virginia was in charge of the volunteer program. Virginia stepped down from her position in 2013. She continued volunteering until March 2014.  Virginia's tireless dedication to preserving the history of Hernando County is an example of volunteerism at its best. She was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, John Henry Jackson and sister, Georgeanna Phelps.  Survivors include her son:  Hank Jackson of Weeki Wachee, FL; daughters:  Rita Pelham of New Port Richey, FL, Joy Jackson and Gerry Sowder both of Brooksville, FL; 12 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren and 6 great great grandchildren.  Visitation for friends will be 4 - 8pm, Friday, July 18, 2014 at the Merritt Funeral Home, Brooksville Chapel.  Funeral services will be conducted 11:00am, Saturday, July 19, 2014 at the First United Methodist Church of Brooksville with Pastor David Hope of Stable Faith Cowboy Church officiating.  Burial will follow at the Lake Lindsey Cemetery.  Following the burial, Mrs. Jackson's family will receive friends for a gathering at the First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall. Please contact Jan Knowles at 279-5182 or Virginia Rusk at 796-5398 for information.  In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Hernando Historical Museum Association or HPH Hospice.

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MERRITT FUNERAL HOME

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