Helen Elizabeth (Betty) Jackson

Betty was born October 5, 1929 and grew up on a Dairy Farm in Greensboro, North Caroline. She was raised by her grandparents and two uncles along with her two brothers and two cousins and a special needs aunt. She attended business school and started working for the Kingston Steam plant. She met her future husband, Elton Ronald Jackson, when she had a flat tire, and he kindly offered to help her. They married October 10th, 1953. Their first daughter, Kay, was born in San Francisco while he was serving in the army. Then they moved to Knoxville and had another daughter, Anne. Over the following years, Betty worked some in business and some as a preschool teacher. They both remained in Knoxville for the remainder of their lives. Betty had a deep and personal faith in Jesus, and it was evident in how she lived. She never knew a stranger and would talk to everyone with kindness and a smile. She made it her goal to make everyone feel special. She could look beyond people's blind spots and see something good in almost anyone. Even in her final years when she suffered from dementia, she was always very grateful to anyone who helped her. She was a great mother, wife, and grandmother. She loved well and was well loved. She loved and admired each of her 6 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. She had a heart for her children and great grandchildren. In addition to her love for her family, she also had a heart for those with disabilities, the underprivileged and those who were different. We are immensely grateful for her dedicated caregivers, Marta and Rachel who treated her like their own mother. We appreciate and want to thank the tender and attentive care provided by the nurses and staff at Park West Hospice. She was predeceased by all of her siblings, Jack Clark, Joe Clark and Franda Ervin, her husband of 59 years, several cousins and many dear friends. She is survived by her two daughters Anne (and Tim) Oxley, Kay (and Tom) Shelton and all of her 6 grandchildren: Brittany and Jonathan (Cedar, Shiloh, and Alias), Matt and Katie, Grace and Ben (Jubilee, Emersyn, and Selah), Natalie, Emily and Charlie, and Andrew. In lieu of flowers, you can donate to Remote Area Medical (865-579-1530) 2200 Stock Creek Blvd. Rockford, TN 37853. Or Homes of Love (865-660-4048) 111 Loudoun Road, Suite 103 Knoxville, TN 37934. There will be a service to celebrate her life at Sherrill Hill at 11:00am on September 14th. 271 Moss Grove Blvd. Knoxville, TN 37922. The family requests that all guests attending the service wear blue in honor of Betty's favorite color.

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Helen Elizabeth (Betty) Jackson

October 5, 1929 - September 6, 2024