Edithel Jackson

Edithel Sims Jackson was born in England, Arkansas on September 24, 1926, to the parents of John and Effie Sims. She lived a long blessed life and passed peacefully in her sleep on September 2, 2021, just a few days before her 95th birthday.

Edithel lived her life full of purpose and love for her family. After receiving her high school diploma in England, Arkansas, she relocated to Chicago, Illinois, where she married the love of her life in 1947. The newlyweds soon moved to Muskegon Heights, Michigan, where they raised their family of ten children. She was a loving, caring and thoughtful mother. She instilled in each one of her children her faith in God, her belief in higher education, and the value of a dollar through her example. The family attended Beulah Missionary Baptist Church where she faithfully served in two ministries; Women’s Auxiliaries and the Veterans of Foreign War (VFW). She also furthered her education by attending Muskegon County Community College and used her degree to work at Knollview Nursing Home for many years.
In the summer months, Edithel took her children to the blueberry fields to earn their own money. She knew to be responsible adults, her children must learn all these lifelong valuable lessons.

With all the work and ministry she accomplished, she still made time for the hobbies she enjoyed; gardening, baking, sewing and canning, and spending time with family. She loved taking her children to the movies, fishing, and to the beach. She also enjoyed having family dinners full of love and laughter. Edithel spent her life passionately loving her husband, her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.

Edithel was preceded in death by her parents and six brothers and sisters, she also was preceded in death by her husband Theodis Charles Jackson Sr., her sons: Theodis Charles Jr., Phillip Wayne, one daughter Sandra Alaine Calvin, her son in law Gary M. Felder, her granddaughter Shaundra Calvin and great granddaughter Talia Anae Burt. Edithel is survived by her daughters, Patricia Ann Felder, Rhonda Lynn Landfair and Deborah Marie Jackson, and sons Robert Timothy (Debra), James Edward (Minnie), Kenneth John (Kathy), Steven Bryant (Michelle) and son in law Tommie Daryl Calvin. Sisters in law Judy B. Jackson, Ollie Mae (Eugene) Wright, Margaret Jackson, brother-in-law, Clarence (Catherine) Jackson, and a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews’ cousins and friends.