Nadene Floy Jackson

Nadene was born on January 30, 1942, in Nortonville, Kansas, to parents Howard Ben Cleavinger and Gladys LaVeryl Hall. She learned an incredible work ethic while working on the family farm. She was grateful when her parents allowed her to have some space to take care of a pet pig named “Cherry,” and her litter of piglets. As a child, she was also very involved in 4-H.

Nadene graduated with the Class of 1959 from Valley Falls High School in Jefferson County, Kansas. After high school, she attended Brigham Young University where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Bacteriology and a minor in Chemistry. After college graduation, Nadene moved to Long Beach, California, where she interned in medical technology for Memorial Hospital. After passing her national and state exams, she continued to work at the same hospital.

While in California, she met Daniel Marcellus Jackson, a tall, handsome Navy sailor who had been invited to a Christmas dinner Nadene hosted. Dan fell in love after Nadene cooked his favorite meal—a rare steak—at that first meeting. Nadene and Dan dated for 18 months and then were married and sealed for time and all eternity on March 23, 1968, in the Los Angeles Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Nadene had the toughest job in the Navy as a military spouse. Nadene accompanied Dan all over the world as he was stationed in Australia, Pennsylvania, Texas, San Diego, and Tennessee. During this time, Nadene and Dan had five children, with each child being born in a different location except the youngest two children who are twins. After Dan completed military service in 1982, Nadene and Dan moved their family to Utah where she hoped to establish a more permanent home; yet in 1995, Nadene and Dan moved to Florida. She delighted in watching the Florida wildlife she could see from the backyard lanai, such as bald eagles, alligators, otters, ducks, and turtles. Sandhill cranes often visited her while she worked in the yard, something that always startled her. She took great pleasure in gardening and maintaining a beautiful yard.

Nadene loved music all her life. She played the baritone in marching band in high school. She also played piano from an early age and later taught herself to play the organ. She had a beautiful alto voice and often sang with her sister and brother and enjoyed nothing more than hearing her own family sing together. In addition to leading, singing with, and accompanying many church and community choirs, she auditioned for—and was accepted to—the Southern California Mormon Choir. As a member of the choir, she traveled to Hawaii and many parts of California. She loved America, and one of her favorite experiences was singing “Battle Hymn of the Republic” to which audiences usually gave standing ovations.

Nadene was a lifelong learner. She read magazines and clipped articles she wanted to remember or share with family members. She read newspapers to stay up to date on current events and occasionally would write letters to the editor. Nadene volunteered in PTA and Cub Scouts. She spent many hours serving neighbors, friends, and even strangers. Nadene had a beautiful smile and a musical laugh that brightened any room. She held many leadership positions in her Church. Her most fulfilling work was her family. Her greatest joy was being a wife, mother, and grandmother. Her children knew that no matter what time you called, Mom would answer, and she always seemed to know how to fix any woe.

Nadene is survived by her husband and their five children and ten grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother. She was preceded in death by her parents and sister.

In lieu of flowers, the Jackson family requests that you perform an act of kindness, send a message to a loved one, or simply do a good deed in Nadene’s memory.

Funeral services for Nadene Floy Jackson will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, May 2, 2026, at the Tuskawilla Ward Chapel, 350 West Artesia Street, Oviedo, Florida. Friends may visit with the family at the church on Saturday from 9:00-10:15 a.m. prior to services. Burial services will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at Utah Veterans Cemetery and Memorial Park in Bluffdale, Utah. You may visit with the family after interment at the Camp Williams Chapel.