Willie Lee Jackson

preceded in death by her husband, Roy Jackson; daughter, Katherine

Jackson-Wallace; and her parents, Jacob and Lena Binkley Carney. She

is survived by her daughters, Arla Ruth Jackson and Dixie J. Waggoner;

grandsons, Michael Waggoner (Kari) and Lowell Wallace III; and her

great-grand children, Thaddaios and Tatiana Waggoner. Her

grandsons and great-grandchildren lovingly knew her as “Nanny.”

Willie was a devoted member of Madison Church of Christ which she

attended for over 60 years. She worked for Metro Nashville for over

20 years and remained active in local politics well into her retirement.

Willie was born in Nashville and grew up in a loving home as one of

eight children. She attended Cumberland High School and studied at

Watkins Institute in Nashville, now the Watkins College of Art, Design,

and Film. She also studied Real Estate and passed the licensing exam

on her first attempt. A devoted wife and mother, she raised three

daughters at her home on Hunters Lane. Her love of flowers was

reflected in the myriad colors which lined her yard across the seasons

and which she always tended with care. Never far from her heart were

her beloved cattle. The wife of a dairy farmer, she continued to raise

cattle after her husband Roy’s passing in 1985, and she could be seen

well into her eighties in the barnyard walking out to feed her cows.

A wonderful cook, Willie was never happier than when she was

gathered around the table with her family enjoying a meal--especially

her fried chicken, which was known as the best in Nashville. She had

an outgoing, social personality and was always surrounded by friends,

many of whom were her travel companions. Her love of travel took

her to places all over the world, including Germany, Switzerland, and

Israel, and she braved an exciting evacuation from Egypt during the

Middle East turmoil of the 1970’s.

A funeral service will be conducted 12pm Thursday at Forest Lawn

Funeral Home with Frank Scott officiating. Burial will follow in the

Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens with nephews and grandsons serving

as pallbearers. Visitation with the family will be held 2pm until 8pm

Wednesday and 1 hour prior to the service at the funeral home.