Glenda Gail (Rambo) Jackson

While surrounded by her adoring family, the Lord called Glenda Gail Jackson home on May 1, 2023, at the age of 84. Gail Jackson was born January 21, 1939, in Longview, Texas, to Guy and Iris Rambo.

She was preceded in death by her devoted, loving husband, John H. Jackson, Jr.; parents, Guy and Iris Rambo; sisters, Louise Visage and Betty Kingery; and son in law, Tracy Dollison. Left to cherish her memory are daughter, Sheila Orms, her husband, Rick, their children, Cody, Trent, Dillon; daughter, Elisa Jackson, her child Bailee; daughter, Pamela Hancock, her husband Alex, her children, Jordan, Makenna, Jaret; son, Michael Jackson, children, Samantha, Aries; daughter, Julie Dollison, children, TJ, Tabetha, Brandon; niece Linda Phillips, nephews Lonnie and Kenny Visage as well as 14 great grandchildren.

After grade school, Gail persuaded her parents to move to the country so she could have a horse. She then attended Spring Hill High School where she excelled in band, basketball, and volleyball. During her senior year, she was awarded "Most Athletic", and she passed on her athletic ability to her children. After high school, she received a full band scholarship from Kilgore Jr. College where she played in the marching and symphonic bands.

Gail Jackson was married to the love of her life, John Jackson Jr., for 62 years. During those years, they cherished each other and built a family that she gave the same unconditional love. She was known for sharing her pride and love for her family unashamedly with everyone she met. Her love was unwavering and bright, which she showed by coming to every game and performance, singing and sharing her favorite songs, and taking her kids and grandbabies to the mountains. Her family will miss her warm hugs, her fierce loyalty, and her wild spirit. They will always remember how much she loved God's creation and how much she loved them.

She was famous for her baking and cooking prowess. Her most beloved recipes were her biscuits, cinnamon rolls, blueberry and orange cranberry scones, pies, and her hummingbird cake. Gail's family loved cooking with her and would always end up full before it was served from too much "sampling". She loved sharing recipes that she learned from her mama with her kids and grandkids. Gail often gifted a variety of baked goods to neighbors, friends, and family, but it was never enough! She filled the kitchen with love and stories of family, and there will never be a better meal than those she cooked.

Her interests also included various handwork. She was the youngest member of the Happy Hookers with whom she enjoyed crocheting and knitting hats, scarves, sweaters, and afghans. She learned to sew by watching her mother and taking home economics courses; sewing a lot of her family's everyday clothes and even special occasion outfits. As an empty nester, she enjoyed courses at Sharman's where she furthered her sewing talents to include heirloom sewing, quilting, embroidery, making lingerie, and machine beading. Her gifts are treasured memorials of her love.
She was also an adventurer. Her most treasured adventures were the over 13 trips to the Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, as well as many more to Colorado. Her love for the mountains was developed at a very young age with the yearly family trips to her grandparents' ranch in Ridgway, Colorado. She took her family to the mountains and shared her adventurous spirit and love for the Rockies with them. The mountains were her home as much as Texas, and she instilled that love for her second home in her family.

Her family will miss her addictive laugh, her funny stories, and her profound love. They will carry her adventurous and passionate spirit with them always. The Celebration of Life will be held at Gilmer First Baptist Church, May 21, 2023, from 2-4 p.m., in the sanctuary.