Lela Mae Jackson was born the daughter of Milton A. Sheppard and Esta Mae (Evans) Sheppard on February 8, 1923, in Ash Flat, Arkansas, and departed this life on September 28, 2015, in Salem, Arkansas, at the age of 92 years.
She was united in marriage on January 2, 1943, at Salem, Arkansas, to Harold Kenneth Jackson, who preceded her in death on February 6, 2007.
She is survived by one son, Greg M. Jackson and wife, Brenda of Salem, Arkansas; three grandchildren, Jacob Smith and wife, Kathy of Salem, Arkansas, Zachary Smith of Salem, Arkansas, and Lindsey Coursey and husband, Rickey of Sherman, Texas; seven great grandchildren, Calvin, Lydia, Lathan, Adalynn, Kasen, Rickey, and Ethan; a sister-in-law, Myrlene Hastings and husband, Donald of West Plains, Missouri; a brother-in-law, Gerald Jackson of Franklin, Arkansas; other relatives and many close friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Milton and Esta Sheppard and two sisters, Odessa Haney and Regina Hutson.
Lela and her husband, Harold, owned and operated Jackson Insurance in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas for several years. She was office assistant for their business, but most of all, Lela was a dedicated homemaker.
Family and church were the most important things in her life. She loved her family and treasured time spent with them, especially her grandchildren. Lela was a Christian lady and a faithful member of the Mammoth Spring Church of Christ where she taught children’s Sunday School class for many years.
She was a member of the Altruist Women’s Club in Mammoth Spring and enjoyed painting landscapes and flowers.
Lela will be remembered as a sweet lady with a kind heart, giving spirit, and devotion for her family and church.
Her life touched many and she will truly be missed by her family, her church family, and her many friends.
Funeral Services will be Thursday, October 1, 2015, at 10:00 AM at the Carter Funeral Home Chapel in Thayer, Missouri with Barry O’Dell officiating.
The family will receive friends Thursday morning from 9:00 A.M. until service time at the Carter Funeral Home Chapel in Thayer.
The body will lie in state at the Carter Funeral Home Wednesday evening from 6:00 until 8:00 PM.
Burial will be in the Riverside Cemetery at Mammoth Spring, Arkansas, with services under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc. in Thayer.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her memory to the Paragould Children’s Home and left at the funeral home.
September 30, 2015 @ 9:51 pm
Greg and family,
I am so sad hearing that Lela passed. She and my mom(Geneva Smith) have been friends forever. She was a beautiful lady and so sweet.I know she will be missed.
My prayers and condolences to her loved ones
Sondra Jones
October 1, 2015 @ 4:59 pm
Greg,
So sorry for your loss. Lela was a very kind person. I will never forget all of us in the neighborhood, and Lela’s good nature and warm smile. She was a true christian, and a great friend. She will be missed a lot.