Earnestine Jackson

Earnestine Malone Jackson was born April 29,1932 to Rev. Relius and Gertrude Malone in Kendleton, Texas. She was little sister to Malaniece and later joined by sisters Maggie Jewel and Reda Mae. At the age of 12 the family moved to Houston, TX where Earnestine accepted Christ as her personal Savior and became a member of Greater Ward AME Church (formerly Ward Chapel). Her spiritual walk has always been empowered with hope and faith. With no money upon graduating from George Washington Carver High School, but faith in God making a way, Earnestine was able to attend Paul Quinn College, marry and go on to receive her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Education from Texas Southern University.

On July 19,1952, Earnestine married the love of her life, Acy Lee Jackson. From this 54 year union, three girls were born: Reda Jewel, Veda Jean, and Freda Jane.

After having all her kids and then entering the workforce, Earnestine worked until her retirement from Aldine ISD for 31 ½ years. There she worked as a Head-Start teacher, 4th grade teacher and many years as a Vocational Adjusting Coordinator (VAC) working with Dwight D. Eisenhower High School. Her responsibilities as VAC were her passion. Finding employers to hire her Special Needs high school students and teaching them Life Skills for being independent adults was a 24-hour task. She taught her students how to ride the bus to work, ride the bus home; open bank accounts, buy groceries and even helped their parents adjust to their child being self-sufficient in spite of society saying otherwise. She has many Acres Homes students, and their children living successful lives today.

Earnestine was an active, faithful member for many Pastors of Greater Ward AME but lastly Pastor Ricky D. Warren. She served dutifully on the Usher Board; Sunday School teacher, Bible School teacher, YPD supervisor and a member of the Women's Missionary Society and Food Pantry servant. Helping was never a problem for Mother.

At 80 years old, after traveling with Reda to various Delta Kappa Gamma Society International conferences, she asked could she, being a retired teacher, join this Teacher Organization and of course the answer was Yes. So, at 80 she became a member of Zeta Nu Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International and worked as our Hospitality Chairperson and Phone Call person until this day. Again, helping was never a problem for Mother.

Being used to having the opportunity to worship, her love for God continued with the Loving Word Fellowship Church family; she was too proud to tell you that she has two Pastors. Living with her daughter Reda, she loved worship at Loving Word Fellowship Church with Bishop Paul D. Landrew, Senior Pastoral Leader. She would listen to all the online teachings with Reda. She would be in her room and when teaching started, the next thing you knew, there she was in the room to hear the lesson for the moment.

Earnestine lived a full 91 years traveling abroad to places like Costa Rica, Jamaica, we were paying on a trip to Dominican Republic for July 2024. Her other travels included: Canada to Niagara Falls, Cozumel with her friend Ms. Madie Harrison. Domestic Travel to Oklahoma, Arkansas, Dallas, Madisonville, TX, Arizona, Las Vegas, Gatlinburg, Tennessee, Palacios, TX. San Antonio, TX, New Orleans, Louisiana, Tylertown, Mississippi, McComb, Mississippi, Gulfport, Mississippi, Biloxi, Mississippi, Cleveland, Ohio, Akron, Ohio, Columbus, Ohio and many, many more places.

On November 21, 2023, Earnestine joined the rest of her family in heaven. She joined the love of her life, Acy Lee Jackson, children, Veda Jean, Freda Jane, Gregory Patrick, parents and all her sisters and all but one Cousin.

She leaves to remember her laughter and legacy: her loving daughter, Reda Jewel Jackson Singletary; Brother-in-law Jimmie Jackson of Madisonville, TX, Delores Watson of Needville, TX; Grandkids-Chris Partick (Tomika), Warren Patrick (Anna), Koby Singletary (Monique), Kevin James Brantley, II, Kinshasa Kapri Brantley, Kalin Leacy Brantley (Jameela), Ashanti Hurt (Antonio) and Aziza Singletary, Chelsea Hemphill-Poplar (Jaylin). A host of great grands and great-great grands. A host of second cousins, nephews, nieces, great-nephews, great-nieces and friends, co-workers, Society Sisters many that loved her.

A visitation for Earnestine will be held Saturday, December 2, 2023 at 9:00 AM at Greater Ward Chapel AME Church, 6822 Arabella, Houston, TX 77091. The funeral service will be immediately follow at 10:00 AM. The committal service will be held on Monday, December 4, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Paradise Cemetery North, 10401 West Montgomery, Houston, TX 77088.