Erbetine Jackson Badgett's Obituary
Erbetine Jackson Badgett peacefully passed from this life into the loving arms of Jesus on Monday, November 21, 2022, 15 days after celebrating her 88th birthday on November 6, 2022.
“Erbie” accepted Jesus as her Savior early in life. She was a member of Second Baptist Church in Akron, Ohio, where she sang faithfully in the choir. During her many moves across the country supporting her husband’s career, Erbie diligently continued her Christian affiliation with bible teaching churches. She attended St. John Baptist Church in Savannah, Ga.; Progressive Missionary Baptist Church in Berkeley, Ca.; and churches in Flint, Mi., Scottsdale, Az., Kansas City, Ks., and Austin, Commerce, Forest Hill and Lewisville, Tx., including The Servant House.
Erbie was the second child born to Fred and Finise (Mapp) Jackson on November 6, 1934, in Bolivar County, Mississippi. After her father relocated the family from Mississippi to Akron, Ohio, in 1945, Erbie considered Akron to be her hometown. Popular Erbie won a place on the Homecoming Court at South High School, where she graduated with the Class of 1954.
Erbie later won the heart of her husband Edward Badgett of Cleveland, Ohio, whom she met in church. They were united in marriage on December 18, 1955 and celebrated 44 years of love until Edward’s homegoing on December 24, 1999. To their union was born three children, Edward “Eddie”, Evelyn, and Evette. Early in their marriage, Erbie lived in Hawaii and Japan during Edward’s service in the Navy. They returned to Akron after Edward’s military service ended honorably. To show how much family meant to her, Erbie lived two blocks from her sister Vera’s house and four blocks from her parents’ house…all on the same street! She worked in the Pharmacy at Akron Children’s Hospital until 1972, when she agreed to follow her husband’s career.
Erbie successfully adapted to each move, as well as to her new and rewarding roles of housewife and homemaker. In Savannah she learned to make southern foods like hush puppies and gumbo. In Flint she survived a blizzard and learned to make dough from scratch for her famous homemade pizza. In Arizona she learned to landscape her desert front yard and loved shopping for southwestern décor, pottery, and jewelry. In Kansas City she temporarily rejoined the workforce at the Wyandotte County Courthouse. In Austin, humble Erbie mowed the lawn and cleaned the backyard pool of her lakefront home, although she did not swim. In the Bay Area she adjusted to the unique lifestyles of Oakland, Berkeley, and San Francisco. Erbie returned to Texas in 1985, where she moved several times within the state before her final stop in Flower Mound.
Erbie loved to cook and bake. It is hard to believe that she barely knew how to boil an egg when she got married! She mastered making homemade pizza, gourmet hamburgers, fried chicken, turkey dressing, chocolate cakes with walnuts, homemade brownies, apple pies and family favorites black berry pies and fresh apple cakes! She generously gifted her cakes to many. A fond memory is of her waiting in her driveway in Savannah to offer the working garbage men plates of homemade chocolate cake which they devoured! Erbie later modified her cooking to meet the health needs of her husband. She detested rice and loved Coca-Cola, Doublemint gum, and milk chocolate pecan dainties from Ohio.
Business-minded Erbie was largely responsible for buying and selling the family’s houses and orchestrating their moves. Although she did not learn how to drive until around age 30, cross country driving due to her many moves allowed her to rival any 18-wheeler trucker on the highway. She drove well beyond age 80 until a nice police officer pulled her over.
Erbie dutifully entertained her husband’s passion for attending the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus as an annual family event. Erbie’s warm character and personality laid the foundation for true friendships, some dating back to childhood, many still blooming today. Her friends enjoyed long conversations with her and appreciated her attentive ear. Friends described her as classy, inspiring, unselfish, and they felt that she touched many lives with the joy that she brought. Erbie loved her family in Ohio, Illinois, St. Louis, California, Michigan, Texas and elsewhere. She treated them to sightseeing, good food and fun when they travelled long distances to visit her.
Erbie recently told one of her daughters that she would miss her children when she went to Heaven. Erbie left a legacy of love for her children Eddie Badgett, Evelyn Badgett, and Evette Badgett Jones and son-in-law Chris Jones. “Grandma” cherished her grandchildren Miranda Badgett, Megan Badgett, Aaron Jones, Maryn Jones, and Thomas Sanchez. Erbie loved her sister Vera Mae Anderson; brothers Melvin “Jay” Jackson and Verdell Hall and sister-in-law Gwendolyn B. Hall; and sister-in-law Victoria Jackson. Willie Anderson and Dora Eddington were special to her. Erbie is survived by a host of beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and friends.
Erbie was resting comfortably at home in Flower Mound when God called her home. We rejoice knowing that she is in the presence of Jesus.
Erbie previously wrote: “Family and friends who touched my life and will forever live in my heart. We shall meet again around the great White Throne when we see Jesus, never to say goodbye. What a time!” What a time Erbie is having with loved ones who crossed the river before her: husband Edward Badgett; parents Fred and Finise Jackson; maternal grandmother Ada Lofton; infant older sister Freddie Lee Jackson; brothers Henry and James Jackson; mother-in-law Marguerite Marjorie Lowe; sister-in-law Constance Jackson; and many family and friends.
Thank you, Mom, for being our dearest Mother! We were blessed beyond measure to have the best mother, so dedicated and committed to our family! We love and miss you with all our hearts! Until we meet again around the great White Throne! To God be the Glory! Proverbs 31: 25 - 30.
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