Clara Jackson

Clara Johnson Jackson, beloved daughter of Emma G. Scott Johnson and the late Alfred E. Johnson Sr., was born on June 20, 1939 in Baltimore, Maryland. She departed this life on Friday, January 7, 2005. Clara’s faith was tremendous. She received her foundational teaching from Christ United Methodist Church where she was a life long member.She received her education in the Baltimore City Public School System and graduated from Dunbar Senior High School. She attended Morgan State College for 3 years, where she met Oliver S. Jackson. They were subsequently married and from this union were born two daughters; Tonya Michelle and Karen Renee’. An automobile accident in 1965 left Clara quadriplegic. She resided first at Montebello Hospital and later moved to Keswick Nursing Home where she lived until her death.Clara loved life and lived each day to the fullest, helping and meeting people was her passion. Strong-willed and able to inspire others Clara found getting involved the key to leading a fulfilled life. She was president of the Young at Hearts Club, a charitable organization at Keswick. The motto of which is any resident who is “Young at Heart” is eligible to participate. She was also a member in the league for the Handicapped and the Coalition for the Handicapped.Clara loved playing bridge, scrabble, bingo and many other games and if you knew Clara, you knew she loved crab cakes and chitterlings almost as much as she loved her grandchildren. She loved her grandchildren immensely and she held a special place in her heart for all the children in the family as well as those not in the family. Clara was a great hostess. She made it a point to make sure that her guests were treated with whatever they liked most. If it were Starburst, M&M’s, a particular soft drink or whatever; she made it a point to get exactly what you wanted prior to visiting her.With her faith to sustain her she was able to overcome many obstacles. She didn’t allow her disability to limit her. She even participated in the Ms. Wheelchair Maryland Pageant in 1985.Clara was a craftsman creating many kinds of crafts that she gave to countless people. She was thoughtful, generous, devoted, loyal, loving, conscientious and faithful to the end. Clara leaves to cherish her memory: her mother, Emma G. Johnson, two daughters, Tonya Grice and Karen Williams; one devoted brother, Alfred E. Johnson; three sisters, Delores Colbert, Lillian Jennings, Joyce Pollard; five grandchildren, Andre Oliver Grice, Sophia Emma Williams, Ophelia Gabrielle Williams, Kara Joy Williams an Eliot Stephen-Oliver Williams. One great aunt, Mildred Lane and four aunts, Louise, Virginia, Regina and Elaine; two sons-in-law, Steven Grice and Stephen Williams III; one sister-in-law, Virginia L. Johnson and a host of other relatives devoted friends and committed staff of Keswick Nursing Home.

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Clara Jackson

June 20, 1939 - December 7, 2005