JoAnn Doris Jackson

JoAnn Doris Jackson was born on August 2, 1933 in San Diego, California to Eugene W. and Dorothy J. (Helm) Vaughan joining siblings Betty and Eugene. Her father left Nebraska to join the Navy in San Diego where he met Dorothy Helm. Dorothy Helm was a native Californian of many generations, tracing her family roots to a California pioneer, Harmon Turner Helm, from Jackson, Missouri and his marriage to California Indian Mary Guavish Place. Circumstances led to JoAnn's placement into foster care at age 4 and then her adoption by Lora and Stanley Sutton when she was 6. These difficult years gave JoAnn a deep longing for the love and security of family. In recent years she had the pleasure of meeting some of her siblings from Dorothy's second marriage to Everett Sawyer. Meeting her half-sisters with their joyful, loving acceptance of her as a sister, was a blessing from God. JoAnn lived much of her childhood in Ramona, California until her high school years when she lived with the Frazee family in Santee, CA. She graduated from Grossmont High School in June 1951 with this comment by her class photo: JoAnn Better known as 'Jodi'...likes to talk...is undecided about the future:co-business mgr. of annual-4; Girls' Chorus-1,2;Spring Concert-1..."All My Love." While living with the Frazee family she attended North Park Community Church. It was through the family of the pastor, John Goodwin and his wife Ilma that she met William H. Jackson, Jr. (Bill). He was a young widower with a baby son, Billy. Bill and JoAnn married on November 1, 1951 in the study of Rev. John Goodwin, Bill's uncle. The little girl without a family now dedicated herself to this young family, hoping to add more little ones to join Billy. Though she entered into the marriage without having experienced it in her own childhood, she was dedicated to having a strong, stable, loving home for her children. JoAnn and Bill were married for 29 years until his death on May 16, 1981. JoAnn is survived by her children Bill Jackson III, Willard Arthur Jackson and daughter-in-law Marilyn, Nancy Lorraine (Jackson) Beirn and son-in-law Steve; 7 grandchildren: Wesley Jackson, Amy Beirn Peeples, Kurt Jackson, Kathleen Beirn Raynor, George Jackson, David Beirn, Carol Jackson; 8 great grandchildren: Isaac Peeples, Kate Jackson, Will Jackson, Owen Peeples, Vivan Raynor and Helen Raynor. Max Jackson, Annika Jackson. Truth be told, she was often criticized, disrespected and dismissed because of her background by people who thought themselves better. She was not raised gently or lovingly and had not acquired the social graces of those who dishonored her but she made a home for her family and did all she could to help them be successful. She would not make excuses for her children if they got themselves into trouble, but she would never abandon them. Widowed at 49 she has fought through depression, addiction, crippling pain and brain surgery. She is a living example to all to never give up starting over again and again and again. She has, through her many experiences, chosen to run to God instead of from God. Anyone could go to her with their most urgent prayer knowing that she would pray believing and that God would hear her. She has given her family what she had never received and we do rise up and call her blessed.

JoAnn Doris Jackson

August 2, 1933 - January 18, 2015