Marianne Davidson Jacks died on Friday, the 28th of June 2024. She was born in Cuba, Alabama, the first child of Chesleigh and Margaret May Davidson, on the 24th of June 1931. Marianne graduated from Sumter County High School as valedictorian of her class.
She graduated from Judson College, Marion, Alabama, with a BA in Music and English. Her next five years were spent teaching English in Fairfield City Schools, Fairfield, Alabama, near Birmingham, Alabama and Fairfield High School in Fairhope, Alabama.
After moving to Houston, Texas, she taught music at Harvard and Field Elementary Schools while completing her MED at The University of Houston. Marianne married Stephen Douglas Jacks in 1961. They celebrated their 50th wedding celebration at South Main Baptist Church, thanks to their children and their families. She taught at the University of Houston in Music Education for 35 years, retiring in 2000.
Marianne was a member of South Main Baptist Church where she taught children’s choir for eighteen years. She was a member of the Marytha Sunday School class at the church.
At the University of Houston, Marianne was a long-time member of the Texas Music Educators Association. She served as a sponsor of Sigma Alpha Iota, a girls’ music fraternity and sponsored Gulf Coast Orff Association in its meetings on campus.
After retiring from The University of Houston, Marianne began teaching Korean ladies in SMILE, South Main’s ministry to foreign visitors. Marianne wished to say thanks to all friends at her church, The University of Houston and her family for making her life so enjoyable.
Her husband, Stephen Douglas Jacks, preceded her in death as did her parents. Surivvors include her son, Stephen Daniel Jacks and his wife, Alisa Suit Jacks and two granddaughters, Alaina and Caia; her daughter, Sarah Elizabeth “Betsy” Jacks Riley and her husband, Mitchell C. Riley and children Katherine and Andrew. She is also survived by her step-son Donald Jacks of Lander, Wyoming and sons Cody and Michael. Her sister, Margaret Davidson Bolling, and her nephew, David Andrew Boling with wife Dianna and children Joseph, Claire, Caroline and Emily are also survivors. Her college best friend, Sarah Gowan Crawford, also survived her.
A memorial service celebrating Marianne’s life is to be conducted at eleven o’clock in the morning on Saturday, the 13th of July in the sanctuary of South Main Baptist Church, 4100 Main Street in Houston. Immediately following all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the adjacent Welcome Center.
The family will gather for an interment at Rockland Cemetery.
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