Mary Jackson

POLAND - Prayers will begin Monday, July 28, at 9:30 a.m. at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Poland Chapel, followed by a funeral service at 10 a.m. at the Holy Family Church, for Mary Frances Bell Jackson, 85, who passed away Saturday at home, surrounded by family and loved ones after a recent stroke.

Mary was born Nov. 20, 1928, in Chattanooga, Tenn., to Rose (Clemens) and Glenn Bell.

She was a graduate of McMinn High School, where she was the Valedictorian and Homecoming Queen.

She also attended the University of Chattanooga.

Mary was married to Jim Jackson for 61 years, until he passed away on Feb. 14, 2014.

She worked for DuPont in Tennessee, as well as H&R Block and Mahoning Bank Trust Department in Youngstown. She was a very classy southern lady and very active until her last few days. She was an avid reader, as well as tennis and bridge player, and loved to play cards and games of any kind, watch Jeopardy and solve crossword puzzles.

She enjoyed spending time in person and on Facebook with her six children, 19 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. She loved vacationing with them at Long Beach, N.C., and hunting for seashells. Mary also created an annual family calendar, with help from her grandchildren, as one of many ways to stay connected. The support of her Poland friends tied her to her adopted hometown. She enjoyed cross-country skiing through Poland Woods and vacationing in Florida and weekends elsewhere with friends.

She was an active member of the Holy Family Church, the Poland Women's Club, Trailwood Gardeners, Good Earth Garden Club, Fellows Gardens, and the Poland Swim Club, and was a proud supporter and member of the Friends of the Poland Library.

Mary was always thinking about everybody else. She was an enthusiastic back scratcher and spent endless time cutting articles from the newspaper and sending them to her friends and family who would be interested in them. She loved to cook biscuits and gravy, strawberry preserves, and grits. She collected lighthouses, bells, and giraffes. Most of all, Mary will be lovingly remembered for her devotion to her family.

She is survived by, a daughter, Frances (Denis) Meinert of Pittsburgh; five sons, James Jackson of Houston, Stephen (Robin) Jackson of New Orleans, Joseph (Kathleen) Jackson of Fairborn, Patrick (Dayna) Jackson of Houston, and Christopher (Lori) Jackson of Cincinnati; 19 grandchildren, Jessica, Justin, Brien, Ben, Mary, Brandon, Nick, Nathan, Mark, Katie, Amanda, Max, Aly, Alexa, Marcy, Brianna, Matthew, Eric, and Emma; and three great-grandchildren, Jackson, Laina, and Alec.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Jim Jackson; daughter-in-law Shelley Jackson; brothers Jack, Glenn, Bobby, and Dick Bell; and sister Dorothy (Bell) Lingerfelt.

Mary was assisted by the efforts of Home Instead through the wonderful caregivers Carol and Maggie.

Family and friends may call today, July 27, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Poland Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Poland Library in her memory. Donations can be sent to PLYMC - Poland Branch, 305 Wick Ave., Youngstown, OH 44503.