Ednadell Jackson

Ednadell was born on January 13, 1928, in St. Louis, Missouri, to her mother, Lorece Williams. She lived a long, faith-filled life devoted to her family, her community, and her Catholic faith.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Lorece Williams; her first husband, James Johnson; her second husband, James Jackson; and her beloved grandson, Deleon "Bobby"Johnson.

Ednadell leaves behind a beautiful legacy through her loving family. She is survived by her children, Leon Johnson Sr. (Lovie), Harriet Bailey, Theresa Johnson, Ruth Johnson, Keith Johnson Sr., and James Jackson Jr.; her sister, Emma Buttner; 15 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; 8 great-great-grandchildren; and many cherished nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

Ednadell was a remarkable and compassionate woman who found joy in life’s simple pleasures. She loved working crossword puzzles, playing solitaire, listening to smooth jazz, and most of all, spending time with her family and friends. She expressed her love through preparing warm, home-cooked meals for those she cared about.

Throughout her life, Ednadell worked as an associate with Nia Kuumba, Oldenburg, and Five Star Center. She also made a profound impact on the lives of many young people in Chicago. With a selfless heart, she opened her home to gang-associated youth, providing them with a safe place where they could play board games and cards, share meals, and find guidance and comfort. Her dedication to helping others earned her a certificate of recognition from the Mayor of Chicago.

Ednadell’s spirit of service extended beyond Chicago. She was honored with an award recognizing her community service efforts in St. Louis, Missouri. In 2008, she fulfilled a meaningful spiritual journey when she traveled to Vatican City, further strengthening her deep devotion to her Catholic faith.

Ednadell was known as a strong, loving, and deeply faithful woman. She possessed a generous and compassionate spirit and was the kind of person who would give the shirt off her back to anyone in need. Her kindness, strength, and unwavering love for her family and community will be remembered and cherished by all who knew her.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Five Star Center at https://5starcc.org.