Ms. Barbria Smith Jackson's Obituary
Ms. Barbria Smith Jackson, age 84, passed away on November 30, 2018. Daughter of Thomas N.W. and Vera (Awtrey) Smith, Barbria was born in Detroit, MI. She attended Detroit public schools, graduated from Northwestern High School, attended Tuskegee University and graduated in 1955 from Wayne State University with a Bachelor of Science degree. Barbria received her Master of Arts degree from Western MI University, graduating with a 3.99 grade point. Barbria was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and the Nu Phi Omega Chapter in Muskegon. She taught elementary education in Detroit, MI, Des Moines, IA, and in Muskegon Hts., MI at Dr. Martin Luther King School where she spent 11 wonderful years. Barbria was an active Civil Rights Movement leader, a loyal member of N.O.A.R. and a founding member of the Committee to Raise Political Consciousness here in Muskegon. She was a band parent of Mona Shores public schools from 1969 – 1984 and a Key Communicator for Mona Shores – Churchill School. Barbria S. Jackson is the mother of three sons, Dr. James Jackson, Jr., Indiana, Darryl Robert (Stacey) Jackson, C.P.A., vice-president at Hendrick Automotive Group, Charlotte, NC, and Dr. John (Eldesita) Jackson, III of Schuyler, NE; a daughter, Joy S. Jackson (Vaughn, Robert), who preceded Barbria in death and was a N.Y. entrepreneur; grandmother of Angela (Ryan Fowler) Grace Jackson, Isaac (Jacqueline) M. Vaughn, Shadrach Vaughn, John Jackson IV, David E. Robert, Matthew Douglas and Chloe E. Jackson, Jean Paul Robert, Jasmine Bria Jackson and Jessica Joy Jackson, Bradley Alvarez, Angelina Lamay, Landon Jones, Isaiah and Ezekiel Vaughn. Also surviving are sisters, Doll (Karl) Smith Varner of Detroit and Diane (Earnest) Thompson; brothers, Robert E. (Marlene) Smith of Ft. Washington, MD and Ulysses (Ophelia) Harvey of Fairfield, CA. Sister, Awtrey Smith (Bill) Donaldson, preceded Barbria in death. Also surviving are Awtrey and Bill’s daughter and son, special niece and nephew to Barbria, Patricia Allen and Michael Donaldson, sister-in-law, Eva Johnson and Shirley A. Smith of MA; daughters-in-law, Frederica (Jeff) Collett and Meri Louise Jackson; adopted daughter, Mary Lynn Poole Twiggs and adopted sister, Jettie Threadgill were special in Barbria’s life as true friends along with Don & Mary Graves of Des Moines, IA. and Sonja Sheehey. Barbria leaves many friends, nieces and nephews and a heart-warming message of thanks and love to her Springfield, MA family of over 50 years. She leaves many cousins across the country. Special friends since childhood from Northwest Detroit are Betty Boyce, Yvonne Fowler, Bob & Gladys Simpson, Alice Pitts, Beverly & Ollie Langston, Beverly Trone, Sarah & Clifton Coleman, Tommy & Fang Cortez, Dianne Wright and Elsie Loeffler of North Muskegon. Barbria touched the hearts and challenged the minds of many from King School where former students called on her literary skills for assistance in high school and college. Barbria Smith Jackson’s genuine smile will always be remembered, along with her sense of humor.
“To live in the hearts of those you leave behind,is to never die”,
written on a mausoleum in Forest Park Cemetery in Springfield, MA. “Thanks to all of you, I had a warm, fun-filled loving life.” ALOHA. Aloha means farewell to thee. Aloha Means good-bye. It means until we meet again beneath the tropic sky. Aloha means “Good Morning” and always to be true.’ But the best thing Aloha means is “I Love You!” ALOHA. P.S. Aloha C.R. and Teddy. A MEMORIAL SERVICE will be held at a later date at The Lee Chapel, 6291 S. Harvey St., 231-798-1100, with Pastor Charles W. Poole officiating. Interment was made in Mona View Cemetery. Share memories with Barbria’s family at www.sytsemafh.com
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