Rose Jackson

ROSIE MAE, lovingly called ROSE and LIL SIS by family and friends, was the third child born to the union of Willie and Lucinda Brown (who preceded her in death, along with her brother, Johnny, and sisters, Cordia and Janie). Rose was born on October 11, 1938, in Water Valley, Mississippi. At the young age of two, Rose’s parents moved to Argo, Illinois, a friendly town where she grew up and enjoyed her childhood. Rose received her education in the Argo Community School Districts #104 and #217, graduating in the class of 1957. Rose accepted Christ at an early age and was united with Antioch Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Reverend Henry Blackwell. She loved attending church service and was a dedicated and active member under the leadership of her current Pastor, Reverend Dr. Nathaniel Randle. She was a member of the Adult Choir and Mothers Board for many years. She attended services faithfully until her health began to fail. She loved participating and traveling with the church on outings and women retreats. She bonded with her fellow worshippers and met other attendees, always looking forward to praising, singing, fellowshipping, and the next outing. She also volunteered when Antioch would visit the Juvenile Center and provide basic need items, while sharing the word, praying, and worshipping with those that were incarcerated. Rose was employed with various employers which included Molex, and Graves Junior High School Lunch Program before she began her career with CEDA, the Community Economic Development Association of Cook County, Illinois, which lasted for over 30 years before she retired. She especially loved serving pregnant mothers and families in the WIC Program. In her younger years, she was an advocate for change in her community. She attended many meetings, protested and would board the buses headed to Springfield, Illinois to fight for Head Start and various programs that would impact families and benefit low to moderate income households. Rose met and married James D. Jackson and raised five children in the Summit Argo community. These children are the late eldest child Douglas, Larry, David, Nate, and Cindy. She loved and nurtured her children, always making room for their neighborhood friends, whether feeding one more, making room for a night, weekend or sometimes housing them due to circumstances which she felt required a little extra. She loved young people and was affectionately called Ma, Ms. Jackson, or Ms. J by many well into their adulthood. To those in her immediate family she was known as Aunt Sis or Cousin Sis. Rose’s earthly presence will be greatly missed by many. She leaves to cherish loving memories: three sons, Larry of Argo, IL, David (Cynthia) of Oak Lawn, IL and Nathaniel of Milwaukee, WI; one daughter, Cindy of Bellwood, IL; ten grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; two sisters, Orazella Brown of Argo, IL and Patricia Brown-Barnes of Champaign, IL; one brother-in-law, Crosby Smith of Argo, IL; one aunt, Lottie Pearl Brown of Chicago, IL; and special cousin, Sarah Nicholson; a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and cousins; special friends, Gerry Terry, Frankie Shine, Francis Johnson, Lucille Cooper, and the entire Antioch Church family, especially her Pastor and First Lady. Rose also had special relationships with those she nurtured and considered like her own children: goddaughter, Rosalyn Ballard, and godsons, Kerwin Sims, Paul Sawyer, Kevin Steveson, Kevin Armstrong, Keenan Lanfair, Cory Carthan, Mark Ballard, and Wayne Mallory.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Rose Jackson, please visit our floral store.