Clara Pearl Jackson, age 88, of Pinole, California passed away on Wednesday, June 9, 2021. She was born on March 20, 1933 in Tyler, Alabama to Pearlie Mae and Bossie Walker. She was the third daughter, and one of five children.
At the age of two, Clara’s family relocated to Pensacola, Florida (Escambia County) where she excelled. She enjoyed attending school and swimming at Rosamond Johnson Beach, which was named after her childhood friend who taught her and all the local Black children how to swim. Later, she attended Booker T. Washington High School where she grew to love basketball and became a valuable member of the first girls’ basketball team. At this time, she also worked with her mother, aunt, and sisters doing house cleaning and waitressing.
In 1953, Clara met United States Air Force service man, Mr. Ray D. Jackson, Sr. on the train coming from a casino trip from Mobile, Alabama. They courted and married the same year and moved to Pittsburg, California to create a better life for their children and to escape the segregation of the south.
As time passed, the family grew and Clara took on various waitressing jobs to provide an additional source of income. In the summer of 1966, Clara and her children moved to Oakland and then to South Berkeley three years later, where she lived for 42 years prior to moving to Pinole, California. Clara’s waitressing jobs led to her becoming a professional bartender, and one of the first women to obtain a bartender license from the California Department of Alcohol Beverage Control when it became legal to do so in 1971. Over the course of her career, Clara worked in various places in the East Bay Area and San Francisco until she retired in 2005, including the following: The Colony, Nick’s, Shalimar, Jack’s and The Monte Carlo where she met and served community members as well as numerous celebrities and professional athletes such as former SF Mayor Willie Brown, Ray Charles, and Dusty Baker among others.
Clara had a friendly and outgoing personality, and generous spirit. She loved silly comedy, especially “The Little Rascals,” “The Three Stooges,” and “Moms Mabley” television shows. In addition, she liked to cook, travel, visit casinos, gardening around her home, and watching NBA and NFL games. She was respected and trusted by both young and old and well-known among her children’s friends, neighbors and others in the community. She worked hard inside and outside of her home as a wife and single-parent to raise her seven children, and helped raise other family members and their children as well. Clara was truly blessed. She often testified that in her many years of life, she was thankful that she had never been seriously ill or hospitalized for any extended period of time.
She was preceded in death by her parents; four siblings: Fannie Weeks, Maudie Powe, James Walker and Alexis Walker; three children: Danae Jackson, Oliverzette Clay, and Carlos Jackson; and one grand-child: JáShawn Fields.
Clara leaves to cherish her memory: her children, Brenda Amos (Al), Linda Jackson, Ray D. Jackson, Jr., and Stoney McCree (Toni). Daughter-in-law: Veria Jackson. Grandchildren: Jermaine Walker, Janica Clay, Florence Stewart, Edward Stewart, Danae Stewart, Ray D. Jackson III, Mario Fields, Marco Fields, Jamika Fields, and David Weldon McCree; thirty great-grandchildren; five great-great grandchildren; nieces: Shantay Wesley and Shanae Walker; and dear friends: Elaine Boddie and Mary Dee Wallace. She also leaves a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and acquaintances.
A LIMB HAS FALLEN
A limb has fallen from the family tree.
I keep hearing a voice that says, “Grieve not for me”.
Remember the best times, the laughter, the song.
The good life I lived while I was strong.
Continue my heritage, I’m counting on you.
Keep smiling and surely the sun will shine through.
My mind is at ease, my soul is at rest.
Remembering all, how I truly was blessed.
Continue traditions, no matter how small.
Go on with your life, don’t worry about falls
I miss you all dearly, so keep up your chin.
Until the day comes we’re together again.
Author unknown
An interment for Clara will be held Friday, June 18, 2021 at Rolling Hills Memorial Park, 4100 Hilltop Dr, Richmond, California following a celebration of her life at Ephesian Church Of God In Christ, 1709 Alcatraz Avenue, Berkeley, California 94703.
