Dorothea T. Jackson

Dorothea Temple Ragin was born to Andrew Patterson Ragin and Carolyn Temple Mason Ragin on March 1, 1936 in Orlando, Florida. Growing up she lived in both Florida and South Carolina with her brothers Robert (Bobby), William (Billy), and Michael. We grew up hearing many stories including one about a huge alligator that would come down the street looking for food so people would bring their children and small dogs into their houses to keep them safe until he would give up and go back to the lake; how much she hated rutabagas because that’s all their victory garden would grow and there are only so many ways to prepare them; a few wonderful summers they spent at a cabin in the woods, and many stories of her Dad. She sang in the church choir and the Glee Club at school. Her saddest memory was of her father’s passing on June 14, 1951, when she was 15. She talked about him for the rest of her life and was thankful that she had her brothers and Grandpa Nels to help her get through it. Three years later she graduated High School and on June 10, 1954 she married the love of her life, Robert Henry Jackson, Jr. becoming a military dependent.

Soon after their honeymoon, Dad was stationed in Rome, Italy and she went to live with her in-laws (our grandparents), Robert and Barbara Jackson, while she saved the money to join him. A little over a year later she arrived in Rome and began exploring the beautiful art and architecture that she enjoyed so much. She had a lifelong interest in the world and while there they also visited France and Germany. On February 22, 1956 Barbara Jean was born. Mom had many stories of their life in the upstairs apartment in the guest house of a villa just outside of Rome, traveling with the other military wives, getting arrested for a traffic accident, being blessed by the Pope in Vatican Square, and weekend trips to the Mediterranean in the summers. In 1958 we returned to the States and were stationed in Massachusetts for a few months before going to Shreveport, Louisiana. Robert Lawrence was born January 4, 1959.

Her next adventure was Newfoundland Island, Canada with snowbanks that would cover the windows on one side of the house in the winter and short summers that didn’t allow much to grow. Winter also brought frozen pipes and most mornings Dad would bring in big pans of snow to melt in the oven so there was water to make breakfast and use until the pipes defrosted enough to be usable. He always left in the dark because the island was in two time zones and the base was an hour ahead. There was a house fire when Dad was cleaning the chimney and soot was knocked into the furnace. But there were many friends and get-togethers before moving to McGuire Air Base in New Jersey in 1961. She immediately jumped into building our life in New Jersey finding our home, school, and doctors. She had a very busy life filled with friends and once Bo was in school she began her Federal employment as a keypuncher. She was very active on a bowling team. Also, during this time on a return visit from our Grandparents we missed one of the greatest pile ups in history when our car unexpectedly broke down. Hours later, when people had been transported and the road was cleared, a tow truck driver was finally able to look at the car only to have it start with no problem. She grieved with the nation when JFK was shot, saw men walk on the moon, and worried as Dad flew into Vietnam on a monthly basis and her brother Michael flew troops in and out of hot zones. As a military family the war was a daily reality whether we saw it on the evening news or not. Until Uncle Michael came home she cried every time ” Message to Michael” played on the radio.

December 1966 brought us another new beginning as we began the move to Norton AFB in San Bernardino, CA. On the move to California we drove down the coast visiting relatives and friends we knew we might not see for a long time and spent Christmas with our grandparents. As we entered California the news came on the radio about the Apollo launch pad fire, something we will always remember. As soon as we arrived Mom once again went to work finding a new home in an area with good schools, new doctors, activities to keep Bo busy and a new dance studio for me. The role of a military wife is a hard one but she always handled it with a smile, dedication, and love. Again, she led a busy life going to work, making sure her family had everything we needed, and building friendships that lasted the rest of her life. She was team mom for many of Bo’s football and baseball teams, attending games every weekend, followed by weekly trips to the Kart track as Bo and Dad became a team for racing. She and I went to church. She helped our Dad through the loss of his mother, providing a home full of love and support. Yet, she also found time to go to school, completing her AA and then taking design classes. Soon, I went to college and Bo moved to Arizona and got married. She was so excited when her first grandchild, Ermalene Elizabeth, was born and looked forward to her first visit. Soon Ermalene was joined by Adrien and she went to see them whenever she and Dad could go. A few years later she fulfilled a long held dream of returning to Europe visiting England, Italy, France, and Greece, and came back with wonderful stories and pictures from her trip. She began ballroom dancing and always won 1st or 2nd place in competition. I was married and Patrick arrived, followed by Andrew 3 years later. While I spent the night in the hospital with Patrick she went to set up the nursery and wash and put away all of the boy clothes so everything would be perfect for him to come home the next day.

After her retirement in 1996, she moved to Riverside to be closer to her friends and grandchildren. She used her decorating skills to create a home that welcomed friends and family and everyone enjoyed spending time with her there. She completed a certificate in Interior Design at the University of California, Riverside followed a few years later by a certificate in floral design. Within a few months of living in her new townhome she had added to her circle of friends; friendships that also lasted for the rest of her life. Her days were filled with phone calls and visits with family and friends. She went on trips to both the old and the new Getty Museums, the Easter Pageant at the Crystal Cathedral, the Pageant of the Masters in Laguna, outlet shopping trips; and volunteered with the Red Cross. She went back to Florida and South Carolina; and visited Bo and her granddaughters whenever she could, and family came here when they could. She was an integral part of her grandsons’ lives finding time for games, school programs, concerts, and Drum Corp performances. She was with Patrick through every hospitalization, taking him to Doctor’s appointments when I couldn’t. She was there through every test, procedure, surgery, and kidney failure; and when needed took care of Andrew so I could be at the hospital. We would never have made it to this point without the strength, love, and support she and my dad gave us. Before going into the hospital she served on the HOA board and was instrumental in getting some changes made.

The last few years were harder for her after the untimely death of my Dad. She was devastated and it was our turn to be there for her. Eventually, she accepted what had happened and did her best to move forward. But her step was a little slower and she was a little quieter. We were together for holidays but there was a certain sadness and empty place at the table. Last year she also lost one of her best friends. But despite her pain she was still the beautiful, caring woman who would go out of her way to help someone out and was always there for her friends and family. On March 19, 2016 she went home and it is now our time to be devastated. Our only solace is that, after her last year, she is now pain free, at peace, and with our Dad, surrounded by the people she loves who have gone on before her.

Arrangements under the direction of Montecito Memorial Park & Mortuary, Colton, California.