Joan Powell Jackson

Joan Powell Jackson passed away peacefully in her apartment at the Army Residence Community in San Antonio, Texas on January 11, 2022. She was born February 13, 1931, in Danville, Illinois, at the height of the Great Depression. She lived a fairytale childhood living in historic hotels her father managed. Moving frequently in her youth, home included stops in El Paso, Galveston, San Angelo, Corpus Christi, and Austin, Texas; New Orleans, Louisiana; and Norman, Oklahoma.

While living in Austin she attended the University of Texas, pledged Kappa Kappa Gamma, and met her husband -to- be Robert A. Jackson, a decorated Air Force fighter pilot. The two were married May 13, 1951, and quickly established a family with the births of Carrie and Tom in Austin, then Kay and Susan in Omaha, Nebraska. Despite the many hardships of military life, raising four children and three decades of moving her family around the country she and her husband enjoyed a love affair for the ages. They were both larger than life and devoted to their family and communities.

The 1980s brought the couple abundant blessings in the form of seven grandchildren including Carrie Cowles Spencer and Charlie Cowles, Bo Jackson and Holly Jackson McConville, Lindsay VanDyke, and Becky and Chad Galentine. Two decades later six great grandchildren followed including Grace and Harrison Spencer, Ada Galentine, and Audrey, Luke and Nathan Cowles.

Joan and Bob found their church home at First Presbyterian Church in downtown San Antonio and became faithful servants and participants in church life. Joan was active in all things including Women of the Church and weekly bible study.

She was a talented needlepoint artist sharing many hours of stitching with fellow Kappa Stitchers and worked on presidential kneelers for the National Cathedral in Washington DC under the guidance of her friend Liz Wilson. Joan was an accomplished genealogists, researcher and lecturer, and a lifetime member in the KKG Alumni Association.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents, Seeber John and Dorothy Thornton Powell, husband Robert Alexander Jackson, sister Jean Powell Thompson, and granddaughter Lindsay Kay VanDyke. She is survived by four children Carrie Logsdon (Art), Tom Jackson, Katherine Cowles (Pat), Susan Galentine, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Joan will be buried next to the love of her life in a private service at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery at 10:00 am, Wednesday, February 9, 2022. A Memorial Service for all to attend and celebrate the life of Joan will follow at noon, First Presbyterian Church, 404 N Alamo Street, San Antonio, Texas 78205. Reception to follow in the McCullough Room.

To view the Livestream of the Memorial Service, please click here.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Wreaths Across America, in memory of Joan Powell Jackson. https://wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/171116. Please specify under Location to support drop down menu, Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery,San Antonio, Tx 78209.