Rosemary C. Jackson

Obituary

RoseMary Clarice Jackson

Sunrise: November 1, 1934                                                        Sunset: March 8, 2017

RoseMary Clarice Jackson was born November 1, 1934, the only child of Edna P. Smith and Clarence Edward Jamison.  “Rosie” as she was affectionately nicknamed, started her education at Burnside Elementary and studied at the prestigious University of Chicago Lab School and Palmer Memorial Institute in Sedalia, North Carolina and graduated in the class of 1950. She matriculated to Elmhurst College but RoseMary’s education was interrupted when she married James Clinton Jackson in July of 1954 and she started her new career raising 4 children. As the children got older she started working part-time in the Credit department at Sears and taking classes to complete her education.  During the mid 1970’s the entire family was enrolled in school.  Rosie graduated from Roosevelt University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration on June 3, 1974. She started a new career as a Revenue Agent for the Internal Revenue Service in 1972 and continued when she relocated to Phoenix, Arizona in 1984 for an illustrious 33 year career. Rosie was a very giving person, from helping the underprivileged in Morgan Park and Woodlawn neighborhoods in Chicago, where she helped single mothers, and also volunteered as bookkeeper for St. Peter Lutheran Church. Rosie continued her giving ways during her career with the IRS, where she received numerous accolades and awards for her service in the Voluntary Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Electronic Tax Assistance (ETA) Programs. Rosie’s competitiveness really came through in her love of athletics, (swimming, tennis and gymnastics) but nothing compared to her love of playing board games and cards, especially poker. Rosie also had a passion for her alma maters and was an active Alumnus of the University of Chicago Lab Schools and Palmer Memorial Institute. Rosie also loved to travel, from her childhood trip abroad discovering Europe, to her many road trips with her children across America and Mexico. Rosie is survived by four children, Janine Clarice Jackson–Ebun, James Clinton Jr. (Sherri), Jefferey Christopher (Yulonda), and Jason Charles (Kathy), five grandchildren, Vincent Michael Bass (Lolita), Jasmine Jackson-Curry (Cory), Jonte George (Brandon), Elliot (Laura), Kayla Jackson (Josh) Ten great-grandchildren:  Selena King, Elayna and Miguel Bass, Zariah and Jeremiah Curry, Brandon, Jamari, Jamila George, Journey Alexander and Elijah Jackson. Rosie also leaves behind many, many cousins, dear friends and colleagues to cherish her memory. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.