Joyce Marie Jackson

Iota, Louisiana, was the beloved daughter of Annie Mae

Green and Joseph Lee Gallow. She was one of eight

children in the family. At the age of nine, the family

relocated to Eunice, La. Joyce attended Charles Drew

High School and was a devoted member of St. Matilda

Catholic Church until she turned 18.

In 1958, Joyce’s life took a turn when she moved to

Beaumont, TX and met the love of her life, John Henry

Jackson. They exchanged vows on June 19, 1960 and

were later blessed with a large and loving family of eleven

children: six sons - Tilson Sr., Darryl, Joe Nathan, Shawn,

Paul, and Marcus; and five daughters - Denise, Sherryl,

Ramona, Aletha, and Anetra.

Joyce was introduced to Holiness through her father and

mother-in-law, Curley and Elwilder Jackson. She attended

the Church of God in Christ, where Elder U. Henry was

the pastor at the time. In May 1962, she received the Holy

Ghost and was later baptized by Elder Clarence Stewart.

Joyce had a passion for fishing and crabbing, and

loved family outings and vacations, creating a tradition

of gathering the entire family for Thanksgiving and

Christmas holidays. Her love for hosting in her home was

evident to all. Joyce was a dedicated wife to her husband

for 64 years and a very devoted and nurturing mother

to her eleven children. She had a special love for her

grandchildren and talked extensively about the ones who

were always there for her anytime she called upon them.

She was indeed loved and cherished by all.

Joyce’s legacy continues through her 50+ grandchildren

and 50+ great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by

her parents, Joseph Lee and Annie Mae, three sisters –

Ezola, Audrey and Anna Lee and two brothers, Bobby and

Lyris. She leaves behind a host of nieces and nephews to

cherish her memory. Her life was a testament to her faith

and the love she had for her family. She will be deeply

missed.

Gertrude Smith, the beloved sister of the late Joyce Jackson,

is the last and only surviving sibling. She will be remembered

for her strength and resilience, carrying forward the legacy

of The Gallow family.