Obituary of Lillie Mae Jackson
Lillie Mae Jackson was born April 1, 1925 in Roberta, Georgia to the late King David Felts and Achsah Colbert Felts. Though she loved both of her parents, she was particularly close to her father. Lillie often lamented on how “Papa would share his dinner with me” (even though she had already eaten) and talked about stories of his duties in World War I and working on the railroad once he returned home.
Lillie had eight siblings; seven siblings preceded her in death: Murdous “Day” Davis, Buddy Davis, Petroulia “P” Davis, Carrie Waiters, Colin Felts, Lemon Felts, and Dottie Felts Harvey. She has one sister left to mourn her loss, Amie Stevens of Newark, NJ.
Lillie was educated in the Crawford County, Roberta, Georgia Public School System. Although a formal education eluded her, education was very important, whereby she became an avid reader of politics, history and African-American writers. Moreover, she propelled her children, grand and great-grandchildren forward to obtain their education, citing “God bless the child that’s got his own.”
As a young teenager, Lillie traveled over an hour away to Atlanta, where she was a live-in nanny for a young girl. In pursuit of more opportunities, Lillie adhered to the urging of her elder sisters, Petroulia and Carrie, and migrated to Newark, NJ, in 1944. On several occasions, Lillie shared Newark had better opportunities, but also joked about how “people back at home” sensationalized Newark “like it was Heaven.” She recalled, “in those days, no matter where Blacks went, it was still hard, when you were Black.”
Lillie was proud of her southern roots, and used her “farm girl” status to argue that “the pig was more virtuous than the chicken” particularly when well-meaning loved ones tried to modify her diet in her elder years. Furthermore, her background made her seem larger than life with her sassy replies, such as, “You gotta wake up early in the morning to put something over on Old Lillie” or “You’d rather walk through a jungle wearing pork chop britches, before you mess with me!” Her southern and humble beginnings also made her a woman of fervent faith. When things got rough, she would always remind her loved ones that “He may not come when you want him, but he’ll be there right on time…hold on to God’s unchanging hands” because “where there’s a will, there’s a way!”
It seems that the long trip from Georgia to Newark was worth the venture, because this is where she met the love of her life, John Wesley Jackson of Brunswick, Georgia. She affectionately called him “Jack” and he called her “Sweetheart.” Her eyes often lit up as she remembered their marriage, stating, “married life, was the best life!” Together they loved and raised nine children: Jerome Felts, Charlean Hayes, Melvin Jackson, Elaine Jackson-Blue (Calvin, Jr.), Beverlyn Jackson, Johnnie Jackson, Dwain “Jameel” Jackson (Joyce “Malika”), and Petroulia Jackson. Terry Jackson preceded her in death.
For a number of years, she was a house wife; after her children became older, she worked at Deluxe Toy Company. However, she retired as a Supervisor from Berry Lu Cookie Factory after 29 years of Service.
Throughout Lillie’s life she was a devoted Christian. She was a faithful church member and served on the Choir and Usher Board at New Hope Baptist Church and Beulah Grove Baptist Church, of Newark, NJ. In her later years, she was a member of Park Avenue Christian Church of East Orange.
Lillie was a civically engaged citizen that served on the Essex County Board of Elections for many years. After she retired from her post, she continued to encourage people to vote--reminding the young--and sometimes the old, that voting is a privilege that should be held in high esteem. Accordingly, she thought it was a distinct honor to cast her votes for the election of the first African-American President Barack H. Obama, whom she affectionately called “my son.”
Lillie was an amazing cook and baker and loved to share her talents with her family and friends. She also loved to spend her time out and about, particularly in the spring and summer months. When asked if she wanted to go somewhere, she’d always quip back, “Now you know I want to go, because I don’t have the sense to say no and stay home.”
Lillie was a dynamic woman that will be truly missed. She leaves to mourn eight children; eight grandchildren: Darnell Hayes, Shazaan Napoleon (Fritz), John Jackson II, Saniya Jackson, Christal Blue, Chesney Blue, Chanta Blue, and Johnnie Jackson, Jr.; five great grandchildren: Emoni Jackson, John Jackson III, Phritz Napoleon, JeVanni Napoleon, and Terry Jackson; honorary grandchildren: Ijane Trotman, Darlene Frazier, Lawrence Frazier, Doreen Frazier, Dawn Bobien, and a host of special relatives and friends.
