Delia Marie Jackson

Delia, who went by Marie, was born in Ft. Worth, Texas, on February 10, 1933, to Robert Benjamin (R.B.) and Bernice Oder. After her mother’s untimely passing, R.B. then met and married Louise Howard, who aptly fulfilled the role of “Mother”, and Marie loved her deeply.

Marie was mother to Alan, Kathryn, and Milton. She, along with her husband Vaughan, raised her children with everlasting love and devotion.

Marie graduated with honors from Gladewater High School in 1950 and went on to pursue an illustrious career in nursing. She graduated from Baylor University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. While in nursing school, she met and later married Milton Vaughan Jackson Sr. This union took them on many adventures to destinations around the world since Vaughan was an officer in the Air Force. After Vaughan retired, they resettled on property outside of the Arp/Chapel Hill area. Marie was then hired as an instructor with Texas Eastern School of Nursing (T.E.S.N.) in 1971. Upon the T.E.S.N. director’s retirement, she accepted the position as Director of the Nursing Program while continuing to teach and mentor future nurses, along with attaining her Master’s in Nursing degree from UT Tyler. Knowing the importance that nursing played and would continue to play in East Texas, Marie was an active proponent and advocate for developing and initiating the Associate Degree of Nursing (A.D.N.) Program at Tyler Junior College. She was the first Director of the A.D.N. Program in 1981 and continued to hold that position until her retirement in 1998. She impacted hundreds of nursing students throughout her tenure, many of whom are still employed as nurses today.

After retirement, Marie stayed busy with her hobbies, including sewing, and traveling. She was very active in her church, Fairwood United Methodist Church, and served in many roles, including choir director and floral arranger. She served the Cherokee Trace Chapter NDAR (National Daughters American Revolution) in Gladewater in officer and chairman positions. She also served the state society in chairman and vice-chairman position. Spending time with her family, especially grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought her much joy over the years.

Marie was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Milton Vaughan Jackson Sr. in 2015; her parents, R.B. and Louise Oder; and a brother, Howard Oder.

She is survived by her loving and caregiving sons, Alan and wife, Kellye, and Milton V. Jackson, Jr., and her daughter, Kathryn Brazzel and husband, David, all of Arp; her sister, Pam Word and husband, Sam, of East Mountain; five grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren (with the last one being born Dec. 14, which she was able to see and hold). Numerous nieces, nephews, and friends also remain to cherish her memory and legacy.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Fairwood United Methodist Church or Hospice of East Texas.