4
trees
planted in memory of Barbara Jackson
Obituary for Barbara Jackson
Reflections of Her Life’s Journey
Barbara Jean Jackson was born on July 30, 1942, in Bainbridge, Georgia, the first of six (6) children born to the late Cleotha (Bush) and James Jackson.
Barbara, known to her NY friends and colleagues as “BJ”, attended elementary and high school in Decatur County, Georgia. In search of better opportunities, Barbara left Bainbridge in 1959 and moved to New York City. She earned her High School Equivalency Diploma in 1973 and an Associate in Arts Degree from Manhattan Community College in 1979 while working full time.
Barbara accepted Christ at an early age and joined Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church and later changed her affiliation to Freewill Baptist Church. In New York, she became a member of The Church of St. Matthew and St. Timothy-Episcopal, Manhattan, NY. After moving to Queens, she began attending St. James Episcopal Church, Queens, NY. She attended both churches during the course of the year and was a Lay Reader for St. James.
After several places of employment, Barbara began working for the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Union in 1982. The IATSE union members work in all forms of live theater, motion picture and television production, trade shows and exhibitions, television broadcasting, and concerts, as well as the equipment and construction shops that support all these areas of the entertainment industry in the United States and Canada. At the time of her retirement, she was on the union’s executive staff as the Executive Assistant to the General Secretary-Treasurer and traveled extensively in this capacity throughout the United States and Canada.
When Barbara moved from Manhattan to Queens, she got involved with the local politics. She ran for and was elected to the position of District Leader for District 35b, the Corona/East Elmhurst area of Queens County, NY. District leaders are elected, unpaid party officials who oversee the county committee activities in their district. Elections for district leader positions are held every two years. Barbara held her district leader position for 20 years, often times running unopposed. She was the District 35b incumbent at the time of her unexpected passing.
Barbara was also the Secretary of the Queens County Democratic Party. Working to advance issues like job creation, education, stronger communities, and a better quality of life, the Queens Democratic Party is comprised of registered Democrats, grassroots activists, Democratic Clubs, and locally elected party leaders with the mission of endorsing and supporting Democratic candidates at the federal, state, and local levels who will advocate for a brighter and more prosperous future for Queens.
Barbara was a member of or on the board of several organizations. Some of her other affiliation were: An Advisory Board Member for Elmhurst Hospital; Life member of the NAACP; Member of the Corona Lions Club; Member of Key Women of America, Inc.; Member of the Democratic Association of the 21st Century; and Member of the LeFrak City Tenants’ Association, Inc. Barbara always advocated for the needs of children in the home, schools, institutions, and in conflict with law enforcement agencies, and, as a result, was heavily involved with children and family services, and the needs of her community.
Barbara was preceded in death by her parents and her son, Kenneth Jackson; two brothers: James Oliver Jackson and Melvin Jackson.
Barbara leaves to cherish her precious memories: Grandchildren: Keenen Jackson and Shareece Jackson of Tampa, FL; Great-grandchildren: Destiny Jackson, Daevontae Jackson, Malae Jackson, Kaleah Jackson, and Jah’quaye Hicks of Tampa, Florida; Stepdaughter: Zee Johnson, Youngstown, OH; Sisters: Carolyn Jackson-Dumas of Stafford, VA and Euzera Jackson-Vega (Al) of Queens, NY; Brother: Charles Jackson (Margaret) of Tallahassee, FL; Sisters-in-law: Myrtle Jackson, Bear, Delaware; Azalee Davis-Jackson, New York, NY; Brother-in-law: Al Vega, Queens, NY; Nieces raised as sisters: Barbara (Ollie) Nelson-Walker (Rick), Gainesville, FL, Cadelia Nicole (Nikki ) Saulsberry (Otis), Fayetteville, NC, and Tammy Branch-Sonon (Mike), Stafford, VA; Nephew raised as brother: Frederick Dumas (Denise), Lacey, WA; A special neighbor who was like a daughter: Patricia Wilson, Queens, NY; A dear friend: Larry Johnson, Youngstown, OH; A special best friend: Annie Maude McCoy-Addy, Albany, GA; and a host of nieces, nephews, family, and friends.
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Barbara Jean Jackson was born on July 30, 1942, in Bainbridge, Georgia, the first of six (6) children born to the late Cleotha (Bush) and James Jackson.
Barbara, known to her NY friends and colleagues as “BJ”, attended elementary and high school in Decatur County, Georgia. In search of better opportunities, Barbara left Bainbridge in 1959 and moved to New York City. She earned her High School Equivalency Diploma in 1973 and an Associate in Arts Degree from Manhattan Community College in 1979 while working full time.
Barbara accepted Christ at an early age and joined Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church and later changed her affiliation to Freewill Baptist Church. In New York, she became a member of The Church of St. Matthew and St. Timothy-Episcopal, Manhattan, NY. After moving to Queens, she began attending St. James Episcopal Church, Queens, NY. She attended both churches during the course of the year and was a Lay Reader for St. James.
After several places of employment, Barbara began working for the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Union in 1982. The IATSE union members work in all forms of live theater, motion picture and television production, trade shows and exhibitions, television broadcasting, and concerts, as well as the equipment and construction shops that support all these areas of the entertainment industry in the United States and Canada. At the time of her retirement, she was on the union’s executive staff as the Executive Assistant to the General Secretary-Treasurer and traveled extensively in this capacity throughout the United States and Canada.
When Barbara moved from Manhattan to Queens, she got involved with the local politics. She ran for and was elected to the position of District Leader for District 35b, the Corona/East Elmhurst area of Queens County, NY. District leaders are elected, unpaid party officials who oversee the county committee activities in their district. Elections for district leader positions are held every two years. Barbara held her district leader position for 20 years, often times running unopposed. She was the District 35b incumbent at the time of her unexpected passing.
Barbara was also the Secretary of the Queens County Democratic Party. Working to advance issues like job creation, education, stronger communities, and a better quality of life, the Queens Democratic Party is comprised of registered Democrats, grassroots activists, Democratic Clubs, and locally elected party leaders with the mission of endorsing and supporting Democratic candidates at the federal, state, and local levels who will advocate for a brighter and more prosperous future for Queens.
Barbara was a member of or on the board of several organizations. Some of her other affiliation were: An Advisory Board Member for Elmhurst Hospital; Life member of the NAACP; Member of the Corona Lions Club; Member of Key Women of America, Inc.; Member of the Democratic Association of the 21st Century; and Member of the LeFrak City Tenants’ Association, Inc. Barbara always advocated for the needs of children in the home, schools, institutions, and in conflict with law enforcement agencies, and, as a result, was heavily involved with children and family services, and the needs of her community.
Barbara was preceded in death by her parents and her son, Kenneth Jackson; two brothers: James Oliver Jackson and Melvin Jackson.
Barbara leaves to cherish her precious memories: Grandchildren: Keenen Jackson and Shareece Jackson of Tampa, FL; Great-grandchildren: Destiny Jackson, Daevontae Jackson, Malae Jackson, Kaleah Jackson, and Jah’quaye Hicks of Tampa, Florida; Stepdaughter: Zee Johnson, Youngstown, OH; Sisters: Carolyn Jackson-Dumas of Stafford, VA and Euzera Jackson-Vega (Al) of Queens, NY; Brother: Charles Jackson (Margaret) of Tallahassee, FL; Sisters-in-law: Myrtle Jackson, Bear, Delaware; Azalee Davis-Jackson, New York, NY; Brother-in-law: Al Vega, Queens, NY; Nieces raised as sisters: Barbara (Ollie) Nelson-Walker (Rick), Gainesville, FL, Cadelia Nicole (Nikki ) Saulsberry (Otis), Fayetteville, NC, and Tammy Branch-Sonon (Mike), Stafford, VA; Nephew raised as brother: Frederick Dumas (Denise), Lacey, WA; A special neighbor who was like a daughter: Patricia Wilson, Queens, NY; A dear friend: Larry Johnson, Youngstown, OH; A special best friend: Annie Maude McCoy-Addy, Albany, GA; and a host of nieces, nephews, family, and friends.
To plant a tree in memory of Barbara Jackson, visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Visitation
Friday
15
Jan
3:00 PM
- 7:00 PM
Bruton Mortuary
635 Bruton Street
Bainbridge, GA 39819
Graveside
Saturday
16
Jan
2:00 PM
Mt. Olive Church Cemetery
Mt.. Olive Church Rd.
Bainbrdge, GA 39817
Cemetery Details
Location
Mt. Olive Church Cemetery
Mt.. Olive Church Rd.
Bainbrdge, GA 39817
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