MILFORD – Virginia E. Jackson went peacefully to heaven, Sept. 5, 2011, at home surrounded by her children. She was born Nov. 11, 1937 on a farm in Bellefontaine, Ohio, the fifth daughter of Bernard W. and Clara Lorraine (Schrader) Holderman.
On that farm she learned the value of hard work, honesty and strength of spirit. She served her country as a nurse with the Women’s Army Corps, both at home and in France, where she met and married the love of her life. She was an active outdoorswoman enjoying baseball, which she played in school and for the Army. She loved fishing, camping, hiking, and hunting and was very good at it. At 58 years old she drew a moose permit and on the first day of the season a movement caught her eye, she shouted for the driver to stop, leaped from a moving vehicle while loading her weapon and downed a moose that was trotting through the forest with a single shot. She retired from GTE Sylvania in 2001 and spent her time doing what she loved most, being a mother and grandmother. Mom cared about people; it’s what she did best. In every situation she rolled up her sleeves and did what had to be done. It takes a lot of love and sacrifice to raise four children with a military spouse and no matter what trials we brought to her, she always said we were worth it. She set a model of service for us, lived with a hopeful spirit and treated people with grace and dignity.
She was predeceased by her husband, Charles A. Jackson; and two beloved granddaughters, Sabrina Knox and Amanda Jackson. Surviving her are her children, Charles H. Jackson II and wife, Tonya, of Oakland, Anna L. Wiggers and husband, James, of Florida, Sherry A. Jackson of Milford,
Edward W. Jackson and wife, Beate, of Milford; step-daughter, Gloria J. Martin and husband, Steve, of Greenfield; grandchildren, Devon, Jordan, Dawn, Shannon, Kayla, Nathaniel, Andrew, Anthony, Laura, Renee and Randy; great-grandchildren, Randy Jr., Destiny, Kyle, Gabriel, Mckenzie, Christopher, Garrett, Brianna and Alyssa. She will be sadly missed by her sisters, Mildred Weisel of Pennsylvania, Winifred Sloan, Jeanice Prince and Jeannette Keller, all of Florida.
There will be a celebration of her life noon Saturday, Sept. 10, at Brookings-Smith Brewer Chapel, 55 South Main St., Brewer, where friends may join the family for light refreshments at 11 a.m. Interment with military honors will be at Milford Cemetery. In lieu of flowers or for those who wish to remember Virginia in a special way, you may make tax deductible donations in her name to House in the Woods Military and Family retreat, 2819 Lee Road, Lee, ME 04455. Condolences to the family may be expressed at
www.BrookingsSmith.com.