Betty Ann Davis Jackson, 82, passed away peacefully in her sleep on April 28th, 2022, surrounded by her children in Jupiter, FL. She was finally reunited with the love of her life, Preston Wayne Jackson, and many others that passed before her.
Betty was born March 9, 1940 in Canton, Ohio to Brenda and Clarence Davis. She spent most of her early years moving for her father’s job and residing for many years in San Francisco. She had fond memories of the adventurous car rides her family would take on the weekends cruising up and down the California coastline and to various state parks. During her high school years, her family returned to Ohio where she enjoyed Pep Club and being a majorette. Marietta held a very special place in her heart, and she remained friends with many of those she met while in school there. Upon graduation from Marietta High School, she moved to West Palm Beach, Florida with her family. Soon after moving to West Palm Beach, she met and married Preston Wayne Jackson.
In the early years of her marriage, she moved quite often as Wayne was climbing the ranks. As they continued to relocate, she developed many deep friendships along the way. Those friends turned into ‘family’ and she would often refer to them as aunt’s and uncle’s to her children because to her, they were. It was those lifelong friendships that meant so much to her.
Upon Wayne’s untimely death in 1980, Betty showed towering strength and an unwavering commitment to raising her then 19-, 8- and 4-year-old children on her own. She showed incredible poise as she carried on life without him.
Betty loved holidays, traditions and the simple things in life. She loved togetherness, storytelling and listening to heartfelt memories. She loved fried chicken picnics and chocolate ice cream sundaes. She loved orchids and rainbows. She loved sewing and Chardonnay. She loved NCIS, specifically Mark Harmon, and Blue Bloods. She was simple, sophisticated and elegant.
Betty was an avid reader of heavily detailed suspense novels. In her retirement, she spent countless hours curled up reading David Baldacci’s latest legal thrillers. She was often frustrated by the fact that he, James Patterson and Dan Brown couldn’t write their novels fast enough to keep up with her reading! Her insatiable appetite for reading brought her an incredible amount of joy. Her love of reading contributed to her extensive vocabulary. That vocabulary, which she used as a weapon, winning many online scrabble battles. She would cheer as she took her opponents down one-by-one.
Betty loved nature. She loved sunrises and sunsets equally. Being outside amongst nature fed her soul. Her passion for gardening brought her so much joy. She would work in the yard hours on end and then wake-up the next day and start all over again. Her yard was her oasis and watching it bloom and flourish was incredibly gratifying to her.
Betty was a consummate host and kept an immaculate house. She was a great listener and loved to hear every detail about your life while quietly refilling your drink and sliding little dishes of hors d’oeuvres in front of you. She loved nothing more than a house filled with family laughing while she would skillfully whip up a beautiful meal, although, she was always the last to sit down so she could ensure that everyone had exactly what they needed.
For Betty, there was no greater joy than her three grandchildren: Ryan Jackson (32), Hudson Pennell (12) and Piper Pennell (10). She was present at all of their births and loved nothing more than spending time with them. She loved watching Ryan flourish in the movie business and find his way in adulthood.
She enjoyed watching Hudson grow as an athlete and shared with her a love of chocolate ice cream. She loved her sweet Piper who brought a special sparkle to her eye. Her special granddaughter who would play in her makeup and they would giggle for hours. She will forever hold a special place in their hearts.
Betty loved nothing more than her family. She had an endless supply of unconditional love for those dearest to her heart. She will be deeply missed.
Betty is survived by her son, Preston Scott Jackson, her daughters Jennifer Lynn Persico, Heather Noel Pennell, their husbands, Patrick Pennell and Chris Persico, her grandsons, Ryan Jackson, Hudson Pennell, and granddaughter, Piper Pennell.
Betty is predeceased by her husband Preston Wayne Jackson, her parents Clarence and Brenda Davis, and her brothers Ronald and Randall Davis.
The family requests that memorial donations be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in honor of Betty.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.aycockfuneralhomejupiter.com for the Jackson family.
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