"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith."
-II Timothy 4:7
"He will wipe all tears from their eyes, and there will be no more death, suffering, crying, or pain. These things of the past are gone forever."
-Rev. 21:4
Kathy Elaine McCree Jackson was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, friend, and woman of faith whose life exemplified a Christ-like character. She touched people with her love of God, her delightful sense of humor, and her faith in her life journey. Her life was filled with joy and was not without its challenges. She endured all with a faith that never wavered.
She was born in Hopkinsville, Kentucky on September 21, 1949, the second of three children to the late Dr. Otis W. and Lena (Singleton) McCree, both of blessed memory with open and loving arms. On the morning of July 22, 2015, our dearly beloved quietly surrendered her earthly body into the embrace of her God following an extended period of illness. She was surrounded and supported by her family and caregivers during the last days of her life. Like a good soldier, she fought the good fight of faith till the end and refused to let go of the unchanging hand of God. Her firm belief in God supported her during this illness and ultimately gave her peace.
At age four, Kathy's family relocated to Atlanta, Georgia. There she received her formal education through the Archdiocese of Atlanta, graduating in 1967 from Drexel Catholic High School. Upon graduation, she attended Spelman College in Atlanta and later became employed with Delta Airlines.
In April of 1975, Kathy united in marriage to Clifford Jackson. The love story spanned 40 years of marriage, taking them on a journey through life's challenges and joys. The union was blessed with two children, Curtis and Carl. After marriage, she spent a period of years as a homemaker and as a dutiful caregiver for both parents until their deaths.
Kathy and her siblings were raised in a home of love, understanding, and compassion. She professed Christ and solidified her family values at an early age, uniting with the Butler Street C.M. E. Church of Atlanta, Georgia. In 1979, she united with Laster Chapel United Methodist Church of College Park, Georgia under the pastorate of the late Rev. Dr. Walter A. Perry, Sr. The Church certainly played an important role in her life. Her over thirty years of the faithful support of its programs and her attendance proved her love.
Her service included, passionately sharing the love of our God with others, a soprano in the Gospel Choir for over twenty-five years, a member of the Mass Choir, Vice President of the United Methodist Women, Superintendent of the church's Sunday School, Church Secretary for several years, a Church Lay Leader, Coordinator of Communications for the chuech, a Church Historian, and a member of The Young Adults (now The Pacesetters). In 1996, she was honored and recognized by Laster Chapel for her untiring and dedicated service to the church. She also was named a Mother of the Year in 1985 and 1997 by The Young Voices of Laster Chapel. She continued to serve the church until her health declined. In her leisure, Kathy's creative spirit shined through her talent for writing inspirational poetry , which she often shared with others and was often encouraged to publish her work. She was also an avid Atlanta Braves fan , a skilled seamstress and did some voulunteer work . Additionally, she enjoyed gatherings with family and friends.
In 2009, Kathy suffered a stroke which greatly impacted her ability for the rest of her life. Although saddened by that turn of events, she never gave up on herself.
Kathy was a blessing to all who knew her and will be missed. Her life would seem short to many, but those who were touched by her understood that the quality of existence far exceeds the quantity of time in which one lives. She will long be remembered by family and friends as a gentle, humble, and warmhearted person.
Her greatest strength was her faith in God and her belief that one day she would dwell in the House of the Lord forever. Her legacy of faith and service will continue to inspire loved ones and others. We commend her to the serenity, peace, and blessing of eternal life. Her death does not diminish the profound benediction of a life lived in Godly service, nor our admiration of and affection for we rest in our faith in God and in the knowledge that we will one day be reunited with her.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Otis W. McCree Jr., as well as several family members. As her health began to fail, she was lovingly cared for by her husband Clifford and her two sons Curtis and Carl who she loved dearly.
To say that her family and friends will miss her greatly is an understatement. Although her presence on earth is no more, her spirit soars high, inspiring us to live a life of purpose, passion, and unwavering faith. Precious memories will live forever in the hearts of her husband of 40 years, Clifford Jackson; sons, Curtis Jackson and Carl Jackson (Mahalia); sister, Dr. Ida Hilliard (Dr. General); grandchildren, Arrion Jackson, Chelsea Jackson, Carlan Jackson, and Camille Jackson; Brothers and sisters-in-law, Thelma Murphy (Clarence), Dorothy Robinson (Wilson), Rosa C. Henry (Clarence), Clarence Jackson, Feddie Jackson; and numerous family and friends who loved her dearly.
No one knows when death will come, so live each day like it is your last. Goodbyes only exist for people who love with their eyes. There is no separation for those who love with their heart and soul. May Kathy rest in the peace and love she radiated.
Peacefully sleeping, resting at last, The world's weary trouble and trials are past. In silence she suffered, in patience, she bore, Till God called her home to suffer no more.
No Tears in Heaven
There are no tears in Heaven, no grief of any kind, so you dropped that final teardrop for all you've left behind. Though absent from the body you are very much so present with the Lord. The joy of your salvation is now your full reward. We are trying, patiently waiting for the day. That very day our Great God wipes all of our tears away. We will forever keep you in our memories, sending love and hugs up above...for we know there are no tears in heaven, but instead Love.
Author Unknown
The Future Is Not Promised
Kathy McCree Jackson
Sept. 11, 1985
The future is not promised
so I've come to understand
thus daily prayerful living
should be the labor of man.
It's hard living in these trying times
for Satan is waging a war for sin.
But we can't let that get us down
cause we know it's a war he can't win.
Although times are hard and this world's "mixed up,"
we should hold on to the everlasting arm
of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ-
our only protection from all harm.
What will happen when God calls us home?
Will we be ready for Judgement Day?
We can if we follow His commandments
and let him guide us along our way.
Since the future isn't promised,
we can't afford to "twiddle our thumbs"
we must "walk with the Master and carry His word"
if we want to be ready when He comes.
"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith."
-II Timothy 4:7
"He will wipe all tears from their eyes, and there will be no more death, suffering, crying, or pain. These things of the past are gone forever."
-Rev. 21:4
Kathy Elaine McCree Jackson was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, friend, and woman of faith whose life exemplified a Christ-like character. She touched people with her love of God, her delightful sense of humor, and her faith in her life journey. Her life was filled with joy and was not without its challenges. She endured all with a faith that never wavered.
She was born in Hopkinsville, Kentucky on September 21, 1949, the second of three children to the late Dr. Otis W. and Lena (Singleton) McCree, both of blessed memory with open and loving arms. On the morning of July 22, 2015, our dearly beloved quietly surrendered her earthly body into the embrace of her God following an extended period of illness. She was surrounded and supported by her family and caregivers during the last days of her life. Like a good soldier, she fought the good fight of faith till the end and refused to let go of the unchanging hand of God. Her firm belief in God supported her during this illness and ultimately gave her peace.
At age four, Kathy's family relocated to Atlanta, Georgia. There she received her formal education through the Archdiocese of Atlanta, graduating in 1967 from Drexel Catholic High School. Upon graduation, she attended Spelman College in Atlanta and later became employed with Delta Airlines.
In April of 1975, Kathy united in marriage to Clifford Jackson. The love story spanned 40 years of marriage, taking them on a journey through life's challenges and joys. The union was blessed with two children, Curtis and Carl. After marriage, she spent a period of years as a homemaker and as a dutiful caregiver for both parents until their deaths.
Kathy and her siblings were raised in a home of love, understanding, and compassion. She professed Christ and solidified her family values at an early age, uniting with the Butler Street C.M. E. Church of Atlanta, Georgia. In 1979, she united with Laster Chapel United Methodist Church of College Park, Georgia under the pastorate of the late Rev. Dr. Walter A. Perry, Sr. The Church certainly played an important role in her life. Her over thirty years of the faithful support of its programs and her attendance proved her love.
Her service included, passionately sharing the love of our God with others, a soprano in the Gospel Choir for over twenty-five years, a member of the Mass Choir, Vice President of the United Methodist Women, Superintendent of the church's Sunday School, Church Secretary for several years, a Church Lay Leader, Coordinator of Communications for the chuech, a Church Historian, and a member of The Young Adults (now The Pacesetters). In 1996, she was honored and recognized by Laster Chapel for her untiring and dedicated service to the church. She also was named a Mother of the Year in 1985 and 1997 by The Young Voices of Laster Chapel. She continued to serve the church until her health declined. In her leisure, Kathy's creative spirit shined through her talent for writing inspirational poetry , which she often shared with others and was often encouraged to publish her work. She was also an avid Atlanta Braves fan , a skilled seamstress and did some voulunteer work . Additionally, she enjoyed gatherings with family and friends.
In 2009, Kathy suffered a stroke which greatly impacted her ability for the rest of her life. Although saddened by that turn of events, she never gave up on herself.
Kathy was a blessing to all who knew her and will be missed. Her life would seem short to many, but those who were touched by her understood that the quality of existence far exceeds the quantity of time in which one lives. She will long be remembered by family and friends as a gentle, humble, and warmhearted person.
Her greatest strength was her faith in God and her belief that one day she would dwell in the House of the Lord forever. Her legacy of faith and service will continue to inspire loved ones and others. We commend her to the serenity, peace, and blessing of eternal life. Her death does not diminish the profound benediction of a life lived in Godly service, nor our admiration of and affection for we rest in our faith in God and in the knowledge that we will one day be reunited with her.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Otis W. McCree Jr., as well as several family members. As her health began to fail, she was lovingly cared for by her husband Clifford and her two sons Curtis and Carl who she loved dearly.
To say that her family and friends will miss her greatly is an understatement. Although her presence on earth is no more, her spirit soars high, inspiring us to live a life of purpose, passion, and unwavering faith. Precious memories will live forever in the hearts of her husband of 40 years, Clifford Jackson; sons, Curtis Jackson and Carl Jackson (Mahalia); sister, Dr. Ida Hilliard (Dr. General); grandchildren, Arrion Jackson, Chelsea Jackson, Carlan Jackson, and Camille Jackson; Brothers and sisters-in-law, Thelma Murphy (Clarence), Dorothy Robinson (Wilson), Rosa C. Henry (Clarence), Clarence Jackson, Feddie Jackson; and numerous family and friends who loved her dearly.
No one knows when death will come, so live each day like it is your last. Goodbyes only exist for people who love with their eyes. There is no separation for those who love with their heart and soul. May Kathy rest in the peace and love she radiated.
Peacefully sleeping, resting at last, The world's weary trouble and trials are past. In silence she suffered, in patience, she bore, Till God called her home to suffer no more.
No Tears in Heaven
There are no tears in Heaven, no grief of any kind, so you dropped that final teardrop for all you've left behind. Though absent from the body you are very much so present with the Lord. The joy of your salvation is now your full reward. We are trying, patiently waiting for the day. That very day our Great God wipes all of our tears away. We will forever keep you in our memories, sending love and hugs up above...for we know there are no tears in heaven, but instead Love.
Author Unknown
The Future Is Not Promised
Kathy McCree Jackson
Sept. 11, 1985
The future is not promised
so I've come to understand
thus daily prayerful living
should be the labor of man.
It's hard living in these trying times
for Satan is waging a war for sin.
But we can't let that get us down
cause we know it's a war he can't win.
Although times are hard and this world's "mixed up,"
we should hold on to the everlasting arm
of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ-
our only protection from all harm.
What will happen when God calls us home?
Will we be ready for Judgement Day?
We can if we follow His commandments
and let him guide us along our way.
Since the future isn't promised,
we can't afford to "twiddle our thumbs"
we must "walk with the Master and carry His word"
if we want to be ready when He comes.
