Nancy M. Jackson

She leaves behind her beloved only child, Tamara Eileen Jackson-Floyd-Tomaschow; much-loved step-children and family: Gregory, Michael and Shelane Perrone; grandchildren: Ernest Mark Floyd, II, Jennifer Marie Floyd Singleton, Dimitri Joseph Tomaschow, and great grandchildren: Iyanna Mae Singleton and Jade Alexandria Floyd; Surviving Sisters: Florence Jackson, Jacqulyn Margo-Nancy Tucker, Natoma Lillie Keita (Constance Jackson), and Tina Adams-Trandler; Surviving Brother: the Reverend Peter Jackson.

Preceded in death by: Brothers and Sisters- “Lee” Noah Lee Jackson, “Joe-Joe” Joseph Jackson, Jr., “Rolo” Ronald Lee Jackson, “CJ The DJ” Curtis A. Jackson, Melrose Shanks; Parents – “Joe” Joseph G. Jackson and Willie Mae Gordon Jackson.

Nancy was born in March 1st 1942 to Joseph Green Jackson and Willie Mae Gordon Jackson.

As the oldest daughter of deaf parents, Nancy had responsibilities greater than normally expected or experienced by children of hearing parents. That simple fact had a profound impact on Nancy and her life choices.

In her home state of Ohio in the city of Cleveland, Nancy made great strides as a young black woman growing up in the inner city. She remained a constant supporter of and was aided by, the Urban League of Cleveland and the NAACP, at a time when being Black in America made life and success very difficult to achieve.

The Urban League and NAACP provided Nancy with opportunities for upwardly mobile job opportunities, for which she remained forever grateful – becoming a life long member/supporter of both organizations.

As a student at John Hay High School, Nancy was a stellar student, an athlete (competitive racing was her sport of choice) and a member of the cheerleader squad.

Nancy earned a “full-ride” scholarship to attend college, but opted to forego college in order take on the role of motherhood, just after graduation with honors.

With the support of family, Nancy moved forward and had great dreams for herself and her only child, Tamara - known to the family as “Tammy”.

Determined to prove that she would still have a good life, despite being a single-mother, at a time when society still considered it highly taboo, Nancy took on various jobs.

Nancy took on many jobs, often working double shifts – early experiences included typist in a secretarial pool, working up to executive secretary at larger companies in the Cleveland area. Nancy often worked nights as a waitress to support herself and Tammy.

Nancy eventually landed a full time position with Society National Bank of Cleveland and made great strides – moving from Loan Clerk to Assistant Branch Manager, often running the bank alone and received many accolades/awards for her job performance.

Following in the footsteps of many family members, Nancy also served her country as a US Naval Reservist and took great pride in fulfilling her civic duty, and was quickly promoted to officer status before leaving military service.

Nancy’s mother (Willie Mae) had always emphasized the importance of education and provided her children with a primary Catholic elementary educational experience. Nancy loved the Catholic nuns who encouraged her passion to study hard and to be a good student.

Nancy’s dreams of completing her college degree began with night coursework at Tri-C (Cleveland Community College). She finally fulfilled that dream after her marriage to Kenneth Perrone when they relocated to Las Cruces, New Mexico.

As a student of New Mexico State University, Nancy completed both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s Degree in Education in rapid succession. She went on to teach at Immaculate Heart, Catholic elementary school and retired from teaching as a faculty member of Mayfield High School after 25 years with honors.

Nancy had a deep and abiding faith in God and strove to live her life in the service of the Lord in her later years.

She was also a life-long bowler and member of many, many bowling leagues! Nancy could be found weekly down at Shaw Lanes in Cleveland – with her personal bowling ball, skillfully approaching the lane with her eye in “the pocket”!

With her brother-in-law Shanks’ encouragement, Nancy developed a passion for Jazz and spent many hours enveloped in the rhythms of Miles Davis, Charlie Parker and others. She LOVED the smooth vocal stylings of Nancy Wilson, Diana Washington, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Preston and Bill Withers, the crooners like Sam Cook, Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson and soulful artists of her time like Aretha Franklin, Joe Tex, Gladys Knight & The Pips! Music was a constant and on Sunday mornings, the powerful and deeply moving spirituals by Mahalia Jackson often boomed or gently wafted through the house!

Please join us as we celebrate her life and grateful “home going”. 🦋

Our Celebrant will be Franciscan Father Tom Smith, OFM.

Date: Saturday, May 24th 2025

Time: 11:30 AM

Location: Holy Cross Retreat Center

Address: 600 Holy Cross Rd, Mesilla Park, NM 88047