Jo Nell Jackson's Obituary
Beloved Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Counselor, and Friend
Jo “Nell” Young Jackson, 92, born October 29, 1933 to Cecil C. Young and Vannie Miller Young in the Mt. Sterling community of Sulphur Springs, Texas, passed away March 16, 2026 leaving a legacy of love, service, and dedication to family and education.
A proud honor graduate of Sulphur Springs High School in 1950, Nell was deeply involved in her school community. She participated in interscholastic competitions for typing and shorthand and was chosen to represent her school at Bluebonnet Girl's State in Austin. Her dedication and character were recognized with the American Legion Good Citizenship Award at graduation.
Nell attended East Texas State Teacher's College (now Texas A&M University–Commerce), earning her B.S. in business administration and education in 1953, followed by an M.Ed. in guidance and counseling in 1954. During her time at East Texas, Nell was president of the Kaidishan (now Kappa Delta) sorority, vice president of Pi Omega Pi, and a nominee for the Future Teachers of America award.
Nell began her career as a teacher and counselor at Lee Junior High in San Angelo, Texas, where she met her beloved husband, William “Bill” F. Jackson of Reading, Pennsylvania, who was stationed at Goodfellow AFB. They married and later moved to Commerce, where Nell worked as secretary to the Dean of Men while Bill earned his degree on the G.I. Bill. Their marriage spanned 46 wonderful years until Bill’s passing on May 20, 2002.
Nell’s lifelong passion for education touched countless lives. She served as a counselor at Bussey Middle School in Garland for 16 years and as Lead Counselor at North Garland High School for 10 years. She held a permanent all-level Texas teaching certificate, a counselor’s certificate, and was a licensed counselor for the State of Texas. She was known for her compassion, wisdom, and unwavering support of her students and colleagues.
Active in the educational community, Nell was a member of the international professional women's educator association, Delta Kappa Gamma, Kappa Psi Chapter since 1975, a two-term president of the Garland Retired School Personnel Association, and a life member of both the Texas Retired Teachers Association and the PTA. She cherished her involvement with the Elizabeth Thompson Book Review Club in Richardson
Nell’s faith was central throughout her life. She obeyed the gospel and was baptized at age ten during a summer tent meeting at Old Tarrant Church of Christ in Sulphur Springs. She was a devoted member of Richardson East Church of Christ, now CARE Church, since 1965. Her faith guided her and provided comfort and purpose through all of her life.
Nell reflected on her life in meaningful chapters: a childhood on the farm, joyful school years, a loving marriage and family, a fulfilling career, cherished times at Lake Tawakoni, travel and retirement, grandparenting, and her later years. She often said her happiest accomplishments were her marriage to Bill, their two wonderful sons and their families, and the joy of being "Magaw" to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Nell’s legacy of kindness, wisdom, and love will live on in the hearts of all those who were blessed to know her.
She is survived by her son William F. Jackson and his wife Kalena and their son, William F. Jackson, V. She is also survived by her son Joseph N. Jackson and his wife Julie and their sons Nathan C. Jackson, Phillip J. Jackson and his wife Abigail and their children Kinsley, Cove, Coast, Taylon and Presley, and Matthew L. Jackson and his wife Kayla Leal.
Visitation Services will be held Wednesday, March 25 at 9:30 a.m. followed by Funeral Services at 10:30 a.m. Both services will be at The Abbey Chapel, Restland Memorial Park in Dallas, Texas. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Care Corps at CARE church, or Garland Retired School Personnel Scholarship Fund.
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