She was a graduate of A.G. Parrish High School in Selma and Birmingham Baptist Hospital School of Nursing. She worked over 40 years at Brookwood Medical Center mainly as Director of the Emergency Department. Her dedication to her patients, families, and medical staff was truly astounding. She was a 2005 recipient of the AL Hospital Association’s Healthcare Hero Award and Tenet’s Caregiver Hall of Fame. Jackie was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in various callings, among them was Relief Society President, Mission Nurse, Temple worker. She was most recently serving as a Welfare Missionary. Jackie also loved to serve her neighbors and was president of her neighborhood association.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry B. Dillard, and parents James L. Veach and Ruth Davis Veach. Jackie is survived by her son Eric Nelson (Brian Bland), Aunt (Agnes Wiedemeyer), brother-in-law Larry Dillard, sister-in-law Guynelle Bird, nieces Susan Phillips (David),and Leslie Henson (Scott), nephews Chip Dillard (Cindy), Clint Dillard (Amy) and Guy Oliver (Lisa). She is also survived by many cousins and dear friends.
The celebration of Jackie’s life will be at 2pm on Thursday, January 27, 2022 at Southern Heritage Funeral Home, 475 Cahaba Valley Road, Pelham, AL 35124. The family will receive friends at a visitation beginning at 12:30 pm. Masks are strongly encouraged and will be provided if needed.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association, Schnauzer Love Rescue or your favorite charity.
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