Obituary: Mary Elizabeth ‘Betty’ Jackson

Mary Elizabeth “Betty” Jackson, age 88, of Oak Ridge, went to meet our Lord on Friday, Feb. 21, 2014, at the Methodist Medical Center.

She was born Jan. 2, 1926, in Louisville, Tenn., the daughter of Burl and Lula Renfro Jarnigan.

Mrs. Jackson was an avid golfer and former member of the Oak Ridge Country Club, where she won the championship for several years in Ladies Golf. She also won championships in the Knoxville area and the Tennessee Senior Championship. As much as she loved golf, her greatest passion was singing soprano in the Celebration Choir and the Senior Choir of Central Baptist Church of Oak Ridge, where she was a faithful member for 30 years. Her life was a witness to others for the Lord.

Mrs. Jackson was an avid dog lover and enjoyed her summer vegetable gardens.

She is survived by her husband of 69 years, James W. Jackson; son, Gary Allen Jackson Sr. and wife Shirley of Trussville, Ala.; two grandchildren, Jennifer Jackson Lamons and husband Jeff of Trussville, Ala., and Gary Allen Jackson Jr. and wife Natalie of Lookout Mountain, Tenn.; eight great-grandchildren, Jackson, Benjamin, William, and Mary Fran Lamons and Evie, Mac, Thomas, and Gabby Jackson; and her beloved dog, Scooter.

The family received friends on Monday, Feb. 24, from 5:30–7 p.m. at Central Baptist Church. The funeral followed at 7 p.m. with Rev. Glenn Ellis officiating. A graveside service was held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Woodhaven Memorial Gardens in Claxton. The family asks that any memorials be made in her memory to the Music Ministry of Central Baptist Church.

Weatherford Mortuary is handling the arrangements. An online guest book can be signed at www.weatherfordmortuary.com.