Elois Jackson

Mary Elois Stephens Jackson, passed away on Friday, March 14, 2014, at her residence in Falling Water. She was 109 years old. "Miss Lois" was born on the family farm near Manchester, Tennessee in 1905, but in 1916, the Great Depression caused the family to move by train to Chattanooga. There, she met her husband Luther H Jackson and shared nearly fifty years with him. They raised five children while he worked as a pipe fitter and she worked, first at the Knitting Mill and then later at Loveman's Department Store for over thirty years. Throughout her life, she was guided by her faith in God. On her 100th birthday, she said, "When I look back now, I realize how good He was to me because if He wasn't, I wouldn't be in the shape I am today if it hadn't been for His mercy and goodness." She gave that mercy and goodness back to the community. Mrs. Jackson a member of the Judge David Campbell Chapter, DAR. She was the oldest member of the National DAR; a member of American Legion World War I Widows, and taught Gleaner's Class at Falling Water Baptist Church for fifty years. Her many hobbies included gardening, sewing, and cooking. She was preceded in death by her husband, Luther H. Jackson; her parents, Arthur Lee Stephens and Hattie Mae Gentry Stephens; daughter, Dorris Roberta; son, James L. Jackson; grandson, Benton Luther Jackson; sisters, Elsie Harper, Albin Moody, Audeline Selcer and Macon Barker. She is survived by her beloved family, sons, Don (Bobbie Jean) Jackson, Wilmington, N.C. and Gilbert (Sharon) Jackson, Chattanooga; daughters, Genevieve (Marvin) Chastain; and Marilyn (Kennedy) Harrison; daughter-in-law, Dean (James) Jackson, Chattanooga; grandchildren, Ginger Jackson Pierson, Nancy Jackson Glascock, Donna Jackson Tartt, Deborah Jackson MacEwen, David Jackson, Stephen Chastain, Marsha Chastain Alvarez, Jeff Chastain, Jennifer Chastain Wells, Mary Harrison Kowal, Dr. Stephen Harrison, Edward Jackson,Lisa Jackson Thrasher; great-grandchildren, Ashley Alvarez Pearce, Courtney Alvarez Henry, Leslie Logan Wells, Chandler Wells Warren, Ryan Chastain, Randi Chastain, Molly Glascock, Christopher Glascock Jr., Monica Glascock, Katherine Harrison, Peter Harrison, Emily Harrison, Benton Takota Letterman, Eryn Virginia Letterman, Nathan Jackson, Ashley Jackson, Shannon Jackson, Army SPC Matthew Thrasher; Sharon McCorvie, Lillian Jackson, Hailey Jackson, Meredith MacEwen, Thomas MacEwen IV,Adam Tartt, Amy Tartt; great-great-grandchildren; Penelope Pearce, Cayden Henry, Wyatt Henry, Madison Henry, Amelia Thrasher, Thomas Thrasher, Andrew Thrasher, Natalie McCorvie; Rylee McCorvie; Ashley Harris; Shannon Jackson, Nathan Jackson, Addison Tartt, Caroline Tartt; Aiden Tyler Jesser, Isabelle Jackson and Gabriel Jackson. The family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to her devoted caregivers and to the dedicated doctors and nurses who cared for her so well Pallbearers, Leslie Wells, Edward Jackson, Jeffrey Chastain, Dr. Richard Alvarez, Steve Chastain A grave side service will be held on Monday, March 17, 2014, 1 p.m. at Chattanooga Memorial Park Gardens, 501 Memorial Park, White Oak. Family and friends are invited to attend a celebration of her remarkable life at 2:30 p.m. on March 17 at the Falling Water Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Audio Ministry, Falling Water Baptist Church, 523 Roberts Mills Road, Hixson, TN 37343. Visit www.lanefh.com to share condolences. Arrangements by Lane Funeral Home, 601 Ashland Terrace, 877-3524.