Ruby Mae Jackson's Obituary
Ruby Mac (Watson) Jackson was born in Bolton. Mississippi, on March 6, 1934. She was the second of three children born to Clifton and Rosie Lena Watson. After losing her mother at the age of 4. Ruby lived with her grandparents, Robert and Celeste "Tiny" Moore. She attended Hill of Zion Missionary Baptist Church until her family moved to Jackson when she was 11 years old. Ruby attended Smith Robertson Elementary School and Lanier High School. Ruby was wed to the love of her life, Willie Earl Jackson, on February 8, 1951. They were happily married and fully devoted to each other until Willie was called to his heavenly rest on May 19, 2013. To this union six children were born.
Ruby joined the Progressive Missionary Baptist Church in 1953 when her husband returned from active duty in the Korean War. She was a dedicated member until she moved her membership to the Church of Philadelphia Ministries Baptist Church. pastored by Reverend C. Edward Stanton. She dutifully served as a Mother and a mentor to the young women of the church until her health failed. She remained faithful to the church until she was called home.
Affectionately known to her family as "Mama Ruby" or "Mimi." Ruby was a loving mother who was happiest when surrounded by her children, grandchildren. and great-grandchildren. Raising six children on a limited budget wasn't easy, but with an abundance of love and savviness, she and Papa Jackson made it work. In fact, Ruby was known for improvising. Knowing that God always had her back. she was going to get the job done, no matter how limited the resources.
Ruby's love for others expanded well beyond her immediate family. She was known as "Mama Jackson" to a host of her children's peers, whom she mentored and often fed. Ruby's creativity in the kitchen ensured that nobody went hungry. She was a fantastic cook and could make a feast from hardly anything at all. Mama Jackson's Famous Chicken Wings were a hit at friends' and family's weddings and other events long before the "wing craze" became popular. Ruby was also a talented professional seamstress specializing in dressmaking and alterations. That talent ensured her children always had clothes on their backs.
Ruby was the personification of encouragement. She believed very strongly that her children, and by extension her grand and great-grandchildren, could and would achieve whatever goals they had in life. Although they did not have the opportunity to attend college, Ruby and Willie Earl were both extremely well-read, and between them, they had a wealth of experience and knowledge. Ruby saw all of her children go on to attend institutions of higher learning as varied as Vanderbilt University, Belhaven University, Jackson State University, Millsaps College, and the University of Southern Mississippi.
Ruby's legacy of hard work and her loving and generous nature will be fondly remembered by those whose lives she touched.
Ruby was preceded in death by her beloved husband, her parents, her sister, Verna Rogers. her brother, J. D. Watson, and her daughter. Vera Jean Jackson. Left to cherish her memory are three daughters, Rosa (Percy) Howard of Ashburn, VA, Vivian Charleston, Janet (Milton) Washington; two sons, Wille Jackson. Jr. and Clifford Jackson, all of Jackson, MS; four grandchildren, Dyonnis (Omyya) Armstrong, Alicia, Lynissa, and Christopher Washington, all of Jackson, MS, and Jessica Howard of Brooklyn, NY; two great-grandchildren, Maya and Laura Armstrong, both of Jackson, MS: a niece, Monica Rogers of Taylorsville, MS; two nephews, Henry (Bonnie) Rogers of Jackson, MS and Ivan (Celeste) Rogers of Petal, MS and a host of cousins.
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