Gertie Mae Jackson

Gertie Mae “Lucy” Jackson was the oldest of eight children, born to the late Ernest Joseph Semiens and Clara Mae Semiens in Kenner, Louisiana June 18, 1954, a small town outside of Nola where natives of Kenner consider N.O. to be their birthplace.

Her parents, Ernest Joseph Semiens and Clara Mae Jackson, preceded her in death, in 1960 and 1966, respectively.

Following the death of her parents, she lived with her aunt Robie Crockett (Grenada, MS). By 16, she had moved to Ohio and lived with her Uncle Walter, and Aunt Constance Jackson as well as Aunt Agnes Allen. She attended Wooster High, and later married Melvin Florence on October 25, 1973 in Guilford County, North Carolina. To that union three children were born, Daniell’e, born in Greensboro, NC, Melva, born in El Paso, Texas and Malcolm born in Alexandria, Virginia. After the end of her marriage, Gertie Mae began building a life in Greensboro, NC, and gave birth to three more daughters with James Douglas “Blu” Davis, Ebon’e. Cierra, and Jana’e. Navigating life as a single mother was not without challenges but she met them and created opportunities for herself, her children, and others. She became a community activist, advocating for fair and quality housing. She served on the Advisory Board for Legal Aid and worked directly with young girls while living in St. James Homes where she served as Resident Council President. With assistance from various City Council members and other community organizations she created engagement opportunities for young people in St. James Homes.

She was the inspiration, founder, choreographer, costume designer – the everything – for the beloved “Educated Twirlers”, of which Daniell’e and Melva were members along with many of their childhood friends. This group performed in the NC A&T SU Homecoming parade.

During a time when Black women worked together for changes in Greensboro, Gertie was present and remained a staunch advocate for the education of youth and fair housing for the rest of her life.

GMJ as she referred to herself was affectionately known as Mommy by her six children, Lucy by close friends and relatives, Lu by her eldest brother and sometimes Lu Lu. GMJ was a woman of strength, courage, love and even compassion as long as her Creole heritage was not aroused.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her youngest daughter, Jana’e R. Davis, maternal grandparents Scott Willie and Edith Jackson; uncles, Scott “Bully” Jackson; Junior Jackson; Willie Jackson; aunt/mother Robie Crockett; Aunt Mae Hester Jackson; sisters Mara Louise Redditt and Shandra Wilder, a beloved niece Monique Crockett. She leaves a number of family, friends and relatives to cherish her memory including, Mr. Rickey Cotton, also known as her “Sweetie”, her maternal Uncle Walter (Constance) Jackson (OH), Aunt Agnes Allen (OH), Aunt Jainey Bailey (OH); siblings, Ernest Joseph Semiens, Jr. (CA); Marlyn Jackson (CA), Jeff (Veronica) Jackson (TN), Herman Jackson (TN); and Dennis Jackson (TN); close cousins Johnny, Jeff Sanborn, Griffin Sanborn, Rosemary (David) Sanders (OH); Chris Crockett; children, Daniell’e Florence (Gurnee, IL) Melva L. (Brandon) Bradford (Detroit, MI); Malcolm L. Florence, Ebon’e R. Davis, Cierra Davis (Wayne Cruickson) and “bonus” daughter, Khadijah Nichols all of Greensboro, NC and a host of nieces, nephews, 16 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

A celebration of life will be at 230 PM, Saturday, October 8, 2022 at Hanes-Lineberry N. El Street Chapel. The family will receive friends from 1:30 to 2:30 PM prior to the service. Online condolences may be offered at www.haneslineberrryfhnorthelm.com.