Obituary of Juanita Jackson

Juanita McDowell Jackson went peacefully into her Savior's embrace on the sunny afternoon of Feb. 19, 2012, in Rockwall, Texas. Mrs. Jackson passed away with her daughter, Donna Sharbutt, and son-in-law, Don, at her bedside, and her granddaughter, Karen, nearby. A dove was perched outside her window. Mrs. Jackson was 88. She was born on May 27, 1923, in Briar, Mo., to William Henry and Josie Wheeler Hubbard. She was one of 11 children. Mrs. Jackson is survived by one sibling, her sister Xetah Christian of Poplar Bluff. The brothers who preceded her in death were Lawrence, Harry, Frank, Floyd and Joe Hubbard; her sisters, who preceded her in death, were Sally Cherry, Sybil Hall, Peggy Tucker and Alpha McDaniel. Mrs. Jackson also was preceded in death by her first husband, Melvin Utah McDowell, and her second, William Jackson. She was a bookkeeper, a cosmetologist and a caregiver in a nursing home in her career. She also worked in retail sales. Mrs. Jackson married Mr. McDowell on Sept. 14, 1943, in Pocahontas, Ark. They had four children. One of them, their son Randy, preceded them in death. Mrs. Jackson also was preceded in death by a grandson, Sam Sharbutt. Mrs. Jackson is survived by her other children: Glenna (Jerry) Jones of Broken Arrow, Okla.; Donna (Don) Sharbutt of Rockwall, Texas; and Alden (Annelee) McDowell of Kingfisher, Okla. She also is survived by 11 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren in Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri and Kansas. Her large and loving family was Mrs. Jackson's greatest joy. She made sure everyone received a card from her on birthdays and holidays. She loved to talk to her grandchildren about their growing families, their achievements, their dreams for the future and, on a lighter note, the weather in their hometowns. A visit with Granny, as she was known to all, always left her family with a deep and lasting appreciation for the love of a true matriarch. Holidays were her favorite time, especially Christmas, which always included large, noisy and happy gatherings of the people most important to her. Mrs. Jackson took quiet pride in helping to prepare special Christmas and Thanksgiving meals of ham, turkey and her irresistible cornbread dressing. She always accompanied her family to the Christmas Eve service at church. She attended her last one on Dec. 24, 2011, at Lake Pointe Church in Rockwall, where she was a member. Her family celebrated her 85th birthday in May 2008, at her son Alden's and daughter-in-law Annelee's magnificent cabin on Grand Lake in Oklahoma. Her children and grandchildren read heartfelt tributes to her, and one of her granddaughters-in-law, Mishelle McDowell, presented Mrs. Jackson with a photo album that included pictures from all of her descendants. Mrs. Jackson kept the album in a special place for the rest of her life. The visitation for Mrs. Jackson will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23, at the Edwards Funeral Home in Doniphan, Mo. The service will be at 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24, at Oak Ridge Church of God in Briar, Mo., with the Rev. Richard Triplett officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery.