Homegoing Celebration for Patricia Jackson

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A Celebration of Life

Patricia Ivory Jackson was born May 17, 1943 in Little Rock, Arkansas. She was the eldest child of the late Reverend Wallis and Daisy Ivory.

At a young age, Patricia moved with her family to Cleveland, Ohio. She attended Cleveland Metropolitan Schools and graduated from Glenville High School. After graduation, Patricia went to Ohio University where she majored in Elementary Education. She also pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, so Patricia would like you to know that Vice President Kamala Harris is her soror! Patricia was a member of the sorority for the remainder of her life and she wore her pink and green with pride.

Upon graduating from Ohio University, Patricia began her teaching career, then enrolled in John Carroll University where she pursued her Master's degree in guidance counseling. Her advanced degree was integral to her becoming the first Black woman employed as a guidance counselor for Mansfield City Schools. Patricia broke the color barrier many times in her professional career as the first African-American professional to integrate many school systems.

Patricia was united in holy matrimony with James C. Jackson in 1966. From that union, daughters Jennifer and Bethany were born. Due to her husband's career with General Motors, the family relocated many times. Patricia always referred to herself as a corporate gypsy since they lived in Ohio, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Missouri and Minnesota.

She was always active in the community. In addition to her sorority, Patricia served on many committees for Jack and Jill, Top Ladies of Distinction and other social clubs. She enjoyed the performing arts including attending plays, musicals and jazz festivals with her family as often as she could.

After retiring from Mentor Schools in Ohio, she moved to Columbus to be with her daughter, Jennifer. During her retirement she kept active by baking pound cakes and German chocolate cakes for a local soul food restaurant. Patricia also took swimming lessons and scored state standardized assessments every spring. During this time Patricia also became a pet owner for the first time. From then on, wherever she went, she was always joined by her loyal companion, her beloved pet dog, Sweetie. Sweetie never left her side. When both daughters relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina, Patricia also joined them in 2014.

Patricia departed this life on February 1, 2021. She was preceded in death by her brother Wallis. She leaves to mourn her loss: daughters Jennifer and Bethany, sisters Carolyn Hall (Clinton – deceased), Marjorie Pettus (Godfrey), and Pearl Smith (Larry), several nieces, nephews and a host of relatives and friends.