Lillian Patricia Jackson

Lillian Patricia Jackson (lovingly called “Sis”), born on January 18, 1931, was the third of seven children born to John Everett Bowers and Belle Bowers of Magnolia, Delaware. She departed this life on Tuesday, April 18, 2017, at Bay Health Hospital. Lillian graduated from the high school division of the State College for Colored Students (now “Delaware State University”). In 1950, Lillian married the late Charles Benson Jackson, Sr., where she was married for sixty-two years. To this union, four children were born. As a young woman, she was a member of Little Heaven A.M.E. Church where she served as a pianist and sang with her father and siblings. After marriage, she joined Calvary Baptist Church in Dover where she and Charles were members. She retired as a Food Service Technician for the Aram ark Corporation at Wesley College after forty years of service. Coworkers and friends knew her as faithful and highly skilled--supporting their efforts and encouraging them along the way. She was a popular businesswoman with a cake business “second to none.” The cakes she produced were the rave at weddings, anniversaries, birthday parties, and special events. She found it a great honor to make a special cake for the Reverend Jesse Jackson and presented it to him personally at Delaware State University. Family and friends were always blessed to have her beautiful and delicious cakes to grace their celebrations. Lillian had a compassionate and generous heart. She faithfully attended her children’s many sporting events, preaching engagements, and ceremonies of accomplishments. She and Charles were faithful caregivers to his mother Ina, his brother Norman, her mother Belle, her cousin Helen Owens, and Melvin Summers—daily attending to their wants, needs, and oversight. She often found joy in her “adopted” sons, Michael Myers and Richard Carney. Furthermore, she loved the frequent weekly visits and conversations with her sister Iris Wilson, her brother Walt Bowers, her “adopted/play sister” Leona Robinson, and her niece Trudy Wilson—the niece who felt like a daughter to “Aunt Sis.” These times were a constant joy in her life. She cherished the love of her sons and their families; and she and her husband Charles made every holiday a special time of fellowship and food at their home for the family, relatives and friends. She is preceded in death by her husband, Charles Benson Jackson, Sr., in August of 2012; her mother, Belle Bowers, Magnolia, Delaware; three brothers, John Everett Bowers, Jr., Birtrue L. Bowers, and Nathan Bowers, all of Magnolia, Delaware; also, one stepsister, Doris Woodall, Dover, Delaware. It is with praises to God that He called her from labor to her eternal reward. Lillian leaves to cherish her memories, her four sons—Charles (Valarie) Jackson, Dover; Everett (Carlene) Jackson, Dover; Bishop Reginald (Christy) Jackson, Georgia; Rev. Dr. Melvin (May) Jackson, Spring, Texas; one stepdaughter Beverly (Vaughn) Banks, Dover; one sister, Iris (Bill) Wilson; two brothers, Walter (Elaine) Bowers, Dover; Carlton (Deborah) Bowers, Waxhaw, North Carolina; one sister-in-law, Rosella Jackson Harrison, West Palm Beach, Florida; one adopted/play sister, Leona Robinson, Lewes, Delaware; twelve grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren; nieces, nephews, and a host of relatives and friends. Much thanks goes to the personal caregivers in the twilight of Lillian’s and Charles’ life, Delphaine Reed and Rosemary Leager—the family thanks you both for all the love and care you gave to both Lillian and Charles. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Lillian Patricia Jackson, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.

Lillian Patricia Jackson

January 18, 1931 - April 18, 2017