Julia O. Jackson

Julia Olga McElhaney Jackson was the third child born through the union of the late John Wesley McElhaney and the late Nancy Alberta Coffee McElhaney, in Eastman, Georgia on December 3, 1934.

After graduating from Monitor Senior High School in 1952, Julia worked for a short time on the family farm. That summer, she learned that farm work was rough and physically demanding. She wanted more than ever to develop her mind, not cotton-picking fingers.  Julia and her sister, her best friend, Nadine, attended Fort Valley State College together.  She studied Mathematics with a minor in Home Economics.  In 1953, while home for the summer, Julia was introduced to the Seventh Day Adventist Church by her mother who had recently joined. Soon thereafter Julia made the life changing decision to become baptized and commit her life to the lord. This decision lead her to transfer to Oakwood University in Huntsville, Alabama (1954).  Julia arrived at Oakwood her junior year unknowing that another major life change was about to happen. She met a young man named James L. Jackson, a senior ministerial student of whom she fell instantly in love with.

James and Julia were married December 25, 1955 at the Trinity SDA Church in Fitzgerald, Georgia and this Christmas they would have celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary. Their love for the Lord took them to places such as Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana, working together to pastor, teach, and conduct other missionary endeavors. During this time, Julia and James began their family, their sons Anthony and James (Alvin) were born.  In 1961 they moved to Seat Pleasant, Maryland where they continued to do the Lord’s work throughout the Washington, DC area. This eventually led to the opening of the Bladensburg SDA Church in the 1970’s.  Julia was excited for her dream opportunity to be the First Lady of the church with her husband James as a lay-pastor.  Julia and James also completed their family of 6 with their daughter Jacqueline (Denise) and youngest son Norman.

In 1962 Julia began her career at Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory where she worked as an assistant Computer Programmer in the Space Department. She worked with classified Satellite data, and generated graphical charts and made statistical analysis. During this time, while focusing on raising her family and her career, she maintained a commitment to herself to complete her college degree of which had been on hold for thirty-seven years.  She returned to school and graduated with Honors from

Columbia Union College in 1991 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration.  After a full career, Julia celebrated her retirement from Johns Hopkins on October 15, 1995; afterwards, becoming a full-time Grandmother and Traveler.

Julia was passionate about her hobbies. Over the years, Julia enjoyed sewing clothes for her children, she even made her own wedding dress.  Julia was always canning vegetables whether they came from

her garden or others.  Julia was no stranger to having a green thumb, she grew and photographed her plants all the time. Seeking other activities to occupy her time in retired life, she even dabbled in substitute teaching and sales. One particular sales endeavor involving copper artwork resulted in her purchasing many of the pieces for herself, which explains why when visiting her home one would see it splashed with beautiful copper decorations. As an active church member, she absolutely loved serving as the Sabbath School Superintendent, Church Historian, and memory book committee chair. She conducted Cooking classes and enjoyed scrapbooking, however, the things she will be mostly remember for is her signature culinary dishes, Pound Cakes, Coconut Bread, Greens, and the ever-famous Grandma Jackson Brew (a herbal cure for any ailment).  Julia was something else in the kitchen, everything was delicious.

In 2008, Julia was diagnosed with Vascular Dementia which diminished her capacity to lead an active life. She was returned to Maryland in 2013 from their home in Raleigh, N.C. to live and be cared for in her final years.

…Time is a vindictive bandit to steal the beauty of our former selves. We are left with sagging, ripped flesh and empty brains…(Raphael Sanzio da)

Julia leaves to cherish her precious memories and celebrate her life, a loving and devoted husband, James L. Jackson; three sons, Anthony T. Jackson (Cheryl), James Alvin Jackson (Yvette), and Norman L. Jackson (Rachelle); daughter, Jacqueline Denise Gaskins (Gerald); 8 grandchildren, Jennifer (Shawnnie), James (Jimmy)(Crystal), Stuart (Tashsana), Katherine, Candace (Christopher), Arielle, Cameron, and Kyndall; 6 great grandchildren; Marlin, Kimberlyn, Jaylen, Jameir, Micah, and Caleb. Sisters; Lillian (Marvin) Patton, Irma Wilson, and Gloria Wilcox, Sister-In-Law Barbara McElhaney, brother Larry (Tina) McElhaney; along with a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives, The Botsmoto Club Members, and many dear church family and friends.

Julia Olga McElhaney Jackson was preceded in death by her parents, John Wesley McElhaney and Nancy Alberta Coffee McElhaney, her brothers James Wesley McElhaney, Clarence McElhaney and sisters, Nadine McElhaney, Betty Childress.