Leola S. Jackson

LEOLA S. JACKSON was born on April 11, 1913 to Hampton Covert and Rosa Dukes Covert in the Millwood Community of Turkey Township in Williamsburg County, S.C. She was the oldest of five children. She died peacefully in her sleep on March 2, 2016 at Genesis -Long Green Nursing Center in Baltimore, Maryland. It is remarkable that she died at the age f 102 years – only one month short of her 103 birthday. During her early years, she lived with her mother in Florence, S.C. In close proximity to her aunt, Mary Swinton and her children. As a young woman in her late teens, she moved to Washington, D.C. She lived near her sister-in-law, Viola Colbert in the location where the U.S. Supreme Court building stands today. She worked for many years for a high-level official in the Administration of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Leola, affetionately known as “Ola”, later moved to Baltimore, Maryland, where she married Robert Jackson in 1934. They had no childen. She was a very religious person. For many years she was a devoted member of Union Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend Vernon Dobson. She was also very active in political and community affairs. She participated in many political campaigns and boycotts that were spearheaded in the 1960's by Mrs. Lillie Mae Jackson, the dynamic Baltimore NAACP President. She wa also a close friend of the late Pearl Bailey. Leola also loved to knit and crochet. She made many beautiful items, such as pilows, bed-spreads, shawls, and slippers. She would give them away as gifts to family and friends. After her husband died on December 6, 1985 at 87 years old. Leola lived in several senior citizens homes. Her last residence as Zion Towers, which was built for seniors and operated by the Pennsylvania Avenue A.M.E. Zion Church, where she also attended services. However, after living at Zion Towers for many years, due to her failing health, she was admitted to Genesis-Long Green Nursing Center in August 2009. Leola Jackson was preceded in death by: her four siblings, Eddie Leroy Colbert, Susan (“Kay”) Crum, Grace Harris and Lillian Upshur; and two grand-nephews, Tyrone and Jarrell Edghill. She leaves to cherish her memory: her nephew, Eddie L. (Gaytras) Colbert, Jr.; her niece, Linnette Neamo; her cousins, Robert (Barbara) Hill, Curtis (Nell) Hill, Marilyn Evans and Joan Hill; her grand-nieces, Monique Edghill, Aida Edghill, and Zena Edghill and many other grand-nieces and grand-nephews; and other loving and caring relatives and friends. She will be laid to rest next to her husband in Druid Ridge Cemetery in Baltimore County, MD.

Tributes

Leola S. Jackson

April 11, 1913 - March 2, 2016