Carolyn Berry Jackson, 87, of Clovis, California entered into rest on Saturday, November 2, 2024. Carolyn was born at home in the community of Ranger near Dardanelle, Arkansas on January 19, 1937, to William John (Bill) and Gola Mae (Ward) Berry. She was predeceased by her parents and sisters Charlene Berry and Paula Rush. She was a member of the Church of Christ.
Carolyn battled dementia/Alzheimer's disease for 13 years but passed away unexpectedly. She is survived by her loving husband of 67 years, Charles E. Jackson; her daughter Kelly Kaminsky (Tom); her brother Gaylon Berry (Rhonda); her granddaughter Alexandra Kaminsky, her grandson Jackson Kaminsky, all of Clovis, California; her nephew Jon Canerday (Alice) of South Carolina, her nephew Chris Rush (Kathy) of Virginia, her niece April Grogan (Mike) of Kansas, her niece Meredith Castor (Chuck) of Texas and her only remaining aunt Alma Staten of Arkansas. Carolyn is also survived by numerous cousins, grandnieces, grandnephews in Arkansas, Kansas, Texas, California, Florida and Virginia.
Carolyn's early years were on the family farm in Ranger and Chickalah communities near Dardanelle, Arkansas and in the cities of Detroit, Michigan and San Francisco, California. Carolyn graduated as valedictorian from Dardanelle High School, Class of 1954. Her high school Home Economics teacher and dear friend, Mary (Louder) Richards, was very instrumental in Carolyn going to college. She attended Arkansas Polytechnic College (now Arkansas Tech University) from 1954-55 and graduated from the University of Arkansas (Fayetteville) on June 1, 1957, with a B.S. in Home Economics. The day after their graduation, June 2, 1957, Charles and Carolyn were married in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Carolyn taught Home Economics at Lavaca High School and Woodland Junior High School in Arkansas. With a move to California (1960-1974), Carolyn then taught at Shafter High School, Maple Elementary School, and Richland Elementary/Junior High School. She also taught adult sewing classes at Bakersfield College and "Stretch and Sew" classes in Bakersfield, California.
With a move to Florida (1974-1979), Carolyn attended Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida and earned her M.S. in Education Administration in 1979. The family moved back to California in 1979 and Carolyn began student teaching supervision for the Education Department, California State University - Fresno (CSUF). Carolyn earned her Ed.D. in Education Administration in 1983 from the University of the Pacific. Fall of 1983 she began teaching for the CSUF School of Agriculture Sciences and Technology, Department of Home Economics (later known as Department of Child, Family, and Consumer Sciences). She taught textiles, clothing construction, and fashion merchandising classes. She was the department's graduate coordinator and served on many boards and committees at CSUF. She was well liked by staff and students and was affectionately known as "Dr. J".
Carolyn received many awards for her teaching and contributions at CSUF. Awards included the 1985 - School of Agriculture Sciences and Technology, Dean's "Meritorious Performance and Professional Promise Award" 1991- "Salgo-Noren Teaching Excellence Award", 1994 - "Provost Teaching Excellence Award" 1994 - California Governor's "Historic Preservation Award" for her help in preservation of many items in the Zalud House in Porterville, California, and in 1999, she received the USDA Western Regions' "Excellent in College University Teaching Award".
Carolyn was a life member of Phi Upsilon Omicron (Phi U) and was faculty advisor for the CSUF Phi U Chapter for many years and a life member of Phi Kappa Phi. She was a member of the American Association of Home Economics (Later became American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences) and the California State Chapter serving as a Governing Board Member of both for several years. Carolyn was also a member of the International Federation of Home Economics (IFHE) and on the program committee for several years. The experience with IFHE was very rewarding for her, which gave her several international travel experiences to several countries. Highlights of her career was a presentation at the IFHE Conference in Bangkok, Thailand, a few years later taking three graduate students on a trip to Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand. She attended the United Nations 1995 Fourth World Conference of Women in Beijing, China as one of the IFHE Delegates, Carolyn was a member of the Eta Tau chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma in Fresno, California and served as several chapter officer positions during her years of membership.
Carolyn retired as Professor Emerita of Home Economics Education, Clothing and Textiles, and Fashion Merchandising in 2008 with 25 years of service. Carolyn and Charles loved to travel. They visited all 50 states and most of the state capitals, many national and state parks, and Carolyn visited 39 countries. They enjoyed taking their trailer to the beach and the mountains. Carolyn loved being a grandmother to Alexandra and Jackson. She enthusiastically attended many school, sporting, and musical events.
Friendships formed during various stages of Carolyn's life were very important to her. Time and distance did not seem to matter, she held each relationship dear to her heart. Carolyn was diagnosed with early dementia in January 2012 and Alzheimer's Disease by December 2015. Her family is very thankful and grateful to Debbie, LaVerne, and Alexandra, her early caregivers at home and the wonderful caregivers and the owners of Apricot Mornings Residential Care Homes.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Arkansas Tech University Alumni Scholarship Fund, University of Arkansas Alumni Fund, AG One Foundation CSU-Fresno, Dardanelle Church of Christ, or your favorite charity. Arrangements were made with Boice Funeral Home, Clovis, California and Lemley Funeral Home, Atkins, Arkansas. Placement of cremains will be placed at a later date in the Dacus Cemetery, near Dardanelle, Arkansas.
"Do not ask me to remember, Don't try to make me understand, Let me rest and know you're with me, Kiss my cheek and hold my hand. I'm confused beyond your concept, I'm sad and sick and lost. All I know is that I need you to be with me at all cost. Do not lose your patience with me, Do not scold, curse or cry. I can't help the way I'm acting, Can't be different though I try. Just remember that I need you, that the best of me is gone. Please don't fail to stand beside me, Love me 'till my life is done." ~ Anonymous
