Jacquelyn Scates

It is with profound sadness and heartfelt gratitude for a life well-lived that we announce the passing of Jackie Jones Scates, who left this world peacefully on June 20, 2026, following a courageous three-year journey with ALS. Jackie was born on September 18, 1956, in the beautiful city of Colorado Springs, Colorado, to William and Phyllis Jones, who preceded her in death. She had a sweetness about her, a thoughtfulness, a selflessness, that made you feel, somehow, that things were going to be all right. People simply felt better for having known her.

Jackie's life was full, in the best and simplest sense of that word, of love, learning and laughter. She shared a beautiful life with her husband, Steve Scates, whom she married on a warm August 19th in 1978, and together they raised two children: Meghan Brewington, who, with her husband Lee and their daughter Ada Lyn, brought her such joy, and Philip Scates, who, with his wife Evanne, shared a special bond with his mother built on laughter. She is also survived by her sister, Suzanne Wilson, her husband Steven, her brother Michael Jones, and more dear friends than could ever be named here, all of whom will carry her kindness forward.

Jackie graduated from Dupont High School in Hermitage, Tennessee in 1974, then went to Middle Tennessee State University, where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Elementary and Special Education. Teaching, for Jackie, was never really a job — it was simply who she was. Her passion for teaching and nurturing young minds took root early, beginning with her first position at Fort Rucker Elementary in Fort Rucker, Alabama. Her journey with Steve took them to Stuttgart, Germany, where the Army stationed them for 3 years. It was there that their son Philip was born, and there that they built friendships that would last a lifetime, and took in all the beauty Europe had to offer.

Upon returning stateside, Jackie and Steve spent several years in Conyers, Georgia and finally settled in Midlothian, Virginia. Jackie dedicated herself to Chesterfield County Public Schools for 25 years, first as a beloved special education teacher at Curtis Elementary where she met her dear friend Heide Peterson. After a few years, she transferred to Marguerite Christian Elementary, where she discovered a passion for teaching kindergarten. Finally, she transferred one last time to her neighborhood school, Woolridge Elementary School, where she found great joy teaching kindergarten until her retirement in 2017. She never called her students anything but "Friends," and every single one of them knew, without having to be told, that they were loved. Jackie developed lifetime friendships everywhere she worked, creating a warm, devoted and supportive circle of friends.

For 25 years, Jackie was a faithful member of the Southwest Church of Christ in Chesterfield, Virginia. Her faith was not something she kept to one day a week — it was the ground she stood on. In her later years in Tennessee, she found that same steady fellowship in her church community at North Boulevard Church of Christ and the life group there, old friends and new ones alike, who loved her well in these past years.

Jackie loved a good trip — to the beaches of North Carolina, the lights of New York City or the whole wonderful business of Disney World. But it was the national parks that held a particular place in her heart, where she could simply stand still and appreciate the glory of God's creation. And then there was Ada Lyn, her granddaughter, who was, without question, the greatest adventure and the very light of her life.

Jackie read every chance she got. Her book club — with Evanne, her mother Phyllis, and her dear friend Heide, was less a club, really, than a small sisterhood built on stories. She loved Jan Karon's novels, anything on Masterpiece Theatre, and a good crime drama, especially Murder, She Wrote. Her laughter had a way of filling up a room, and her gift for finding the good in nearly everyone she met was nothing short of remarkable.

The family is deeply grateful to all who have offered love and support during this time. They wish to thank all of the wonderful people at the Vanderbilt ALS Clinic and Katie, Andy and Kate of Alive Hospice, for the tender care they gave Jackie throughout her journey.

Jackie leaves behind a legacy of love and steady faith — not just a family, but schools, churches, children, and friends who are better and brighter for having known her. She will be deeply missed, but her warmth and her laughter will linger on in every room she ever filled.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Jackie's memory to The ALS Association, Top Dogg K9, Alive Hospice, and Team Gleason, in keeping with her courageous three-year journey with ALS and her family's gratitude for the support they received along the way.