Submitted by: Mary Jo Koran

JACKSON

Alexander         Ivory        Parham

Brown     Jackson            Scott

Carter      Jeffries     Simmons

Douglas     Johnson         Waters

Gill        Luten      Williams

Horton      Martin         Woods

SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE – June 16, 2002

Willa Bell Jackson

May 6, 1930 - June 12, 2002

At 9:15 a.m. Wednesday, June 12, 2002, following an illness, the angels gently carried away our precious loved one, Willa Bell Beatrice "Wee Wee" Jackson from Memorial Hospital, South Bend, Ind., at the age of 72.

Willa Bell was born to the union of the late William and Sadie (Jeffries) Woods in South Bend on May 6, 1930. Her biological parents passed away in 1941. Her foster parents, Edward and Ella Mae Williams, raised her from that point on.

As a lifelong area resident, Willa Bell, fondly known as "Wee Wee," attended the South Bend Public Schools and graduated from Washington High School in 1949. For 18 years she was employed by A.R.A. Catering Food Services, retiring in 1992. Prior to that, she also worked for the Northern Indiana Children's Hospital as an aide for retarded children; and the South Bend Community School Corporation as a teacher's aide.

Mrs. Jackson was a member of Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church under the pastorate of the late Reverend Dave Davis where she served on the usher board. She was a former member of Grace A.M.E. Zion Church, serving in the inspirational choir.

Family members left to mourn her loss include five daughters, Sherry (Harold) Simmons, Phyllis Johnson, Crystal Jackson, Fay Jackson and Cressa Alexander, all of South Bend; two sons, Curtis Ray Jackson of South Bend and Conrad Pierre Jackson of Chicago, Ill.; 21 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Grace Ivory and Marquetta Parham, all of South Bend; one brother, Moses Woods of Detroit, Mich.; two aunts, Edith Douglas of South Bend and Thelma Brown of South Carolina; special cousins, Annell Waters and Joseph (Della) Luten; special friends, George Carter and Phyllis (Paul) Gill; and many other relatives and friends, and all the little children whose lives she touched.

Preceding her in death along with her parents and foster parents was a son, Kimmey Joe Jackson; two sisters, Virginia Scott and Edisto Horton; one brother, Freddie Martin; a sister-in-law, Elizabeth Woods; and two brothers-in-law, Mose Horton and Eddie Lee Ivory.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the staff of Cardinal Nursing Home for the care given to Mrs. Jackson.

Services for Mrs. Jackson will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, June 18, in Grace A.M.E. Zion Church with Bishop Steven Reed officiating. Final resting place will be at Highland Cemetery.

Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday in Alford's Mortuary where arrangements have been entrusted.