Mary Etta Jackson

Mary Etta Jackson passed away quietly in her home on Monday, August 25th, 2025.  Mary Etta was born on September 22, 1941 in Oma, Mississippi to Louis and Minnie (Walker) Brown.  She graduated from Danville High School and married Joseph Jackson from which four children were born. After traveling the world with her military husband, she returned to Danville, IL where she eventually retired from the State of Illinois, Department of Vocational Rehabilitation Services.  She was later blessed with two more children.

Mary Etta gave her life to Christ at an early age.  She enjoyed watching westerns, gardening and planting flowers.  She won best yard in the neighborhood when she was more active.   For several years she was the Correspondence Secretary for The Black Unity Organization, responsible for the Miss Black Danville Scholarship Awards Program.  

Mary Etta is survived by two daughters: Simone Jackson and April Jackson, both of Atlanta; four sons: Mark Jackson of Chicago; Russell (Ashlei) Jackson of Colorado Springs, CO; Samuel (Duygu) Jackson of Rancho Cordova, CA; and Jeremiah Johnson of Urbana, IL; one brother:  Hollis Taylor of Danville, IL; one sister: Mildred Simmons of Sicily Island, LA; five grandchildren: Terrance Jackson, Christopher Potter, Simone Javey Potter, Nicholas Jackson, and Sirr Joel Jackson; one great-grand son Drew, a host of nieces and nephews and long time friends Minnie Poke and Priscilla Bradberry.

Mary Etta was preceded in death by her parents Louis and Minnie Brown, brothers I.L. Taylor, Virtee Taylor, and George Brown; sisters Ogie Brown, Evelyn Searcy, and Mary Milligan.

A Celebration of life will commence at 12:00 Noon, August 30, 2025 at Leek & Sons Funeral Home, 304 E.Williams St. Danville. Eulogist: Bishop Cleveland Taylor. Visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service.

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