LaWanda Jean Jackson of Rosiclare
LaWanda Jean Jackson, 77, a former resident of Rosiclare, passed away at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024, at her residence at Autumn Ridge Supportive Living in Vienna.
Jean, as she was known to family and friends, was born June 17, 1947, in Elizabethtown. She was the daughter of Robert F. Owens, Jr. and Dorothy Louise (Bryant) Owens.
On April 6, 1980, Jean was united in marriage to James. R. Jackson Sr. at the Rosiclare Free Pentecostal Church. He preceded her in death on Feb. 20, 2002.
Jean is survived by her children, John Joseph (Susan) Church of Herrin and Debra Lynn (Norman) Cubley, Linda Lou (Steve) Jackson, and Brenda Sue (Terry) Tolbert, all of Rosiclare; grandchildren Brittany (Michael) Marks, Heather (fiancé Brently Price) Church, Stephanie Hayes, Sherrie (Stephen) Crabb, Steven (Lea) Jackson Jr., Alisha (Cody) English, Jonathan (Jada) Jackson, Crystal (Mike) Brown and Rickey (Tori) Tolbert; great grandchildren Honesty Marks, Johnathan Marks, Kianna Price, Kyler Price, Brooklynn Hayes, Nevon (Madison) Hayes, Sean Crabb, Janel Crabb, Logan Jackson, Isabella Jackson, Ladasha Jackson, Sebastian Jackson, Zachary Warren, Isaac Warren, Kalie English, Dorian Jackson, Savanna Davis, Micah (fiancé Drew Kayser) Davis, Tyler Davis, Aden Tolbert, Alora Tolbert and Alissa Tolbert; a great-great-granddaughter, Nova Kayser; a brother, Bobby Joe (Doris) Owens of Saline County; and nieces and nephews Tammy Church, Roy Church, Jerry Church, William Andrew Church, Darlene Owens, Bimbo Owens, Todd Owens, Brian Owens and Bradley Owens. Jean also had a large extended family that includes stepchildren, step-grandchildren, as well as other relatives and many friends.
In addition to her parents and husband, Jean was preceded in death by 10 brothers and sisters.
Jean attended Rosiclare Public Schools. She had been employed as a cook at the Town-&-Country Restaurant in Elizabethtown, as well as working for more than 10 years at the Harrisburg Walmart. She was employed in the soft lines/clothing department.
Jean enjoyed many types of handcrafts, including crochet, sewing and quilting. She had a happy and fun -oving personality and will be remembered as a jokester. Jean loved music and sang on stage in a number of local bands. She also wrote several songs. Jean was an amazing cook and was widely known for her homemade pound cake, coconut pie and Thanksgiving dressing.
Jean loved going to the Not-So-New resale shop in Golconda to find bargains. She also was an enthusiastic Avon customer. During her lifetime, Jean always dreamed of “hitting it big” with lottery tickets. She has now finally “won the lottery” by attaining the treasures of her heavenly home.
Jean attended the regular Bible study offered at Autumn Ridge which was conducted by Fellowship Baptist Church. She became very good friends with Judy Miller. Jean called Judy her "angel on wheels."
Jean loved living at Autumn Ridge, where all the staff and residents became her family. She particularly enjoyed the wonderful food.
Funeral services were Monday, Dec. 16 at Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna. Pastor Tom Gray officiated. Burial was at Empire Cemetery near Elizabethtown.
Memorials may be made to the Autumn Ridge Supportive Living Center (Resident Activities Fund), c/o Arrowleaf, P.O. Box 1328, Vienna, Illinois 62995.
To share a memory of Jean or to leave an online message of condolence for her family, visit baileyfh.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna.