Catherine DeLone Jackson

Catherine Delone Jackson – December 3, 1936 to May 12, 2019 Catherine Delone Williams was born on the 3rd of December 1936 in the town of Orangeburg, South Carolina to the proud parents of George Williams and Alfonzo Blume. The youngest of six children, she was loved by her siblings, aunts and uncles. She was the belle of the ball and the most sassy of them all. Her personality and tenacity towered far above her position as the youngest. She was the most determined. She labored hard in her studies and was valedictorian of her high school. Her mother, a housemaid was her hero. She watched in the shadows of a small house showered with the flickering light of her hurricane lamps as her mother worked tirelessly sewing dresses for her children and coming home late in the evening from work. Her mother was “the help” but she made sure her children felt like kings and queens. Catherine threw herself into studies and went on to Claflin College earning a 4.00 G.P.A. at times as she grasped knowledge like life giving water. Her unselfish ways led to a fork in the road. She withdrew from college after her junior year and helped raise her nieces and nephews as they were left instantly parentless due to an illness. She raised several sets of children well before having her own. At some juncture in life a fellow Carolinian stole her heart with talk of travel, adventure and a future. John Lawrence Jackson, a young and vibrant Army Soldier, would pledge his life to his future bride and they wed on December 20, 1960. Soon after, they departed to their first duty station, Killeen Texas. No doubt about the love that shrouded their relationship. Even though many times they were in trailer parks and small housing quarters, they would swear that they were the most roomy and spacious living areas ever. Love is blind and love makes up for so many of life’s flaws. Even with all the travel and adventure, Catherine longed to share her big heart with children of her own. While in Germany, John and Catherine found an orphanage outside Frankfurt, Germany and found a young boy, not quite one years old and realized this was their son, Michael. Never a doubter in life, she interpreted setbacks as look for opportunities elsewhere. Catherine became a mother. Her only regret was her mom passed before she got back from Germany with her new son. Perfection to her was having a daughter to balance the fold. While stationed at Fort Gordon, Georgia she found a little girl, not quite three, who needed a family. There was no hesitation. She had taken care of children in need of parents for years and she set on getting her daughter, Patricia. While her husband built a career in the military, Catherine pushed forward with raising her children, being a Boy Scout den mother, Girl Scout troop leader, Protestant Women of the Chapel participant, Sunday school teacher and most of all an ever supportive wife who stood by John no matter the duty station, the job or distance. She was faithful in deed and word until the end. After 30 years of service to her Nation as an US Army wife and seven duty stations, she and John settled in El Paso, Texas in 1986. Always thinking of others, her first and only house needed to accommodate family gatherings and her children. She was always prepared to take in the stranger and live the values she was raised on by her endearing mother. Her children went on to adventures in the world and set up lives of their own, but grandchildren were right around the corner. She was blessed with eight grandchildren: Wayne L. Ballou, Sarah C. McKinney, Benjamin A. Ballou, Brianna Jackson, Lauryn Jackson, Mikaela Jackson, Jasmine DePasse, and Melia Marcotte. Her life took on another role with the steady residency of her home as a community pillar. She was reliant and her door was always open. She and John became elders at Chapel 1 on Fort Bliss. They even got to help raise three of their grandchildren and saw others throughout the year for all the special gatherings. Her dedication never stopped. Seasons, holidays, birthdays and life’s mile markers were all captured within the walls of her home. With the onset of her first great-grandchild, Joshua, she extended her years of wisdom and beamed with joy at the thought of a new generation entering her life. She welcomed four more great-grands: Lauren, Sophia and Liebe and Isla. Her home was grand indeed with love and laughter. Children filled her life even when the sun was setting on her precious soul. Then, on the 12th day in May the sun peered through the window and washed her room with warmth. It was a Mother’s Day to last all Mother’s Day. John celebrated his wife and all the maternal love she had shown to family, friend and stranger over the last 58 years by continuing his Sunday ritual from birth, he attended church. Catherine patiently waited for her soulmate to return home from church and as he told her stories of big church hats and festivities she knew the legacy of love would be passed onto the next generation. Catherine’s light began to dim and she left him with a sigh and silently said goodbye. Catherine Delone Jackson, love of John’s life, mother of two, grandmother to all and best at making southern style macaroni and cheese, your light is held in each of our hearts for all eternity. Penned by her retold stories, legacy and her daughter Patricia. In lieu of flowers the family requests that family and friends to “Share a Memory” of Catherine on the web site. www.sunsetfuneralhomes.net. Visitation will be from 5:00pm to 9:00pm with a Prayer Service at 7:00pm on Thursday, May 23, 2019 at Sunset Funeral Home Northeast, 4631 Hondo Pass Drive. Funeral Service will begin at 12:00pm on Friday, May 24, 2019 at Sunset Funeral Home Northeast. Committal Service to follow at 1:30pm at Fort Bliss National Cemetery. Services entrusted to Sunset Funeral Home Northeast. Please visit our online registry book at www.sunsetfuneralhomes.net.