Jacklyn Marie Fontno

Known to her friends and family as Jackie, she was born in Sulphur Springs, Texas, on July 21, 1946, the youngest of eight children of Meddie and Truby Askew. The family moved to Amarillo when Jackie was about four years old, and she spent the remainder of her childhood and early adulthood there. She graduated from Carver High School and later worked as a teller at a local bank.

One weekend in the early summer of 1968, Jackie joined a carload of girlfriends for an outing to the Airman’s Club at the Amarillo Air Force Base. The soldier working the front gate gave the group a hard time—and made quite an impression on Jackie, though not a good one. She mentioned him to one of her friend’s boyfriends, who told her the soldier’s name was Ron Fontno and assured her he was actually a good guy. A second meeting was arranged, and this time they hit it off. Jackie and Ron fell in love and were engaged by the fall of 1968.

Soon after, Ron learned he would be deployed to Vietnam at the start of the new year, so the couple married on Dec. 7, 1969. About a month later, Ron shipped out. Not long afterward, Jackie discovered she was pregnant. She remained in Amarillo with her parents while working at the Pantex plant, and Paula Renee was born at the end of September. Ron was discharged from the Air Force in January 1970, and the new family began their life together. Ron went to work for IBM, and Jackie continued to work at Pantex. Their son Reggie joined the family in 1973.

Three years later, IBM transferred the family to Baton Rouge. After several years in Louisiana, they were eager to return to Texas, and Ron accepted a transfer to Houston. The family settled in Bellaire, where they lived for many years.

Jackie loved her family deeply, and they were her greatest joy. She loved R&B music and the comfort of Southern cooking. Her gentle spirit and the warmth she brought to every gathering will be dearly missed.

Jackie is preceded in death by her parents; her brothers Robert Askew and Cecile Askew; and her sisters Bernice Stallard, Nancy Johnson, Ervie Washington, and Betty Simmons. She is survived by her brother Travis Askew; her husband Ron Fontno; her daughter Paula Scales and husband Matt; her son Reggie Fontno and wife Cindy; grandchildren Cooper and Georgia Fontno; and many nieces and nephews.

Her memory will forever be a blessing to them all.

A Celebration of Life will take place at Forest Park Westheimer Funeral Home, located at 12800 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX 77077, on December 8, 2025, from 10:00 am to 11:30 am.

A Committal Service will follow at Houston National Cemetery, located at 10410 Veterans Memorial Dr, Houston, TX 77038, on December 8, 2025, from 12:30 pm to 12:45 pm.