Obituary of Frances Jackson

MARION, VIRGINIA: FRANCES MARIE RATCLIFFE JACKSON, age 79, of Marion, died Tuesday afternoon, August 14, 2012, surrounded by her loving family, in the Smyth County Community Hospital, following a year long struggle with lung cancer. She had a vibrant and fun loving personality. She was a loving mother, grandmother, sister and aunt, who will be greatly missed by all her family and friends. She was born in Pulaski, Virginia on March 4, 1933, the fourth child of six children born to the late Raymond Francis Ratcliffe and late Ruth Naomi Hall Ratcliffe King. She was raised in Pulaski and graduated from Pulaski High School in 1950, where she was a cheerleader, and voted "Best Personality" and "Friendliest". During the 1950's, she worked in the Pulaski area at the C&P Telephone Company, Radford Army Ammunition Plant, Pulaski School Board Office, and Pulaski High School. In 1957, she married William P. "Bill" Jackson, and they settled in Marion in 1961 to raise a family that included two sons. She was a "stay at home mom" for her boys during their younger days, then worked part-time at her church. In 1999, she retired as a Deputy Clerk of the Circuit Court of Smyth County, serving with Clerk Jimmy L. Warren for 25 years. After retirement, she enjoyed spending time and traveling with friends and family, and taking her grandson Thomas to his golf matches. She also enjoyed gardening, painting, golf, tennis, and most recently had become an accomplished quilter. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, L.W. Kelly Sunday School Class, Deborah Circle of the UMW, Wilderness Rose Garden Club, New Traditions Quilt Guild, and volunteered at the Smyth County Tourism Center. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband William P. "Bill" Jackson in 2008, a brother Kenneth S. Ratcliffe, a special sister-in-law, Edith H. Jackson, two brothers-in-law, Elmer E. "Buddy" Kirkner, Sr. and Curtis J. "Sonny" Meredith, sister-in-law, Norma Jean Ratcliffe and two favorite nieces, Teresa Kirkner Mooney, and Lydia Meredith Dodson. She was also preceded in death by her first husband, Ensign Tyler F. "Buddy" Wirt in 1953. She is survived by her two sons, W. Patrick Jackson, Jr. and wife, Lettie of Bristol, TN, and Jeffrey S. Jackson of Marion; special grandson Thomas P. Jackson; two sisters, Betty Lou Ratcliffe Kirkner and Anne Ratcliffe Meredith, both of Pulaski; two brothers, Monte T. "Bud" Ratcliffe and wife, Betsy of Blowing Rock, NC, and R.F. Ratcliffe and wife, Janice of Pulaski; one half-brother, Tim Ratcliffe and wife, Pam of Eden, NC. Also surviving are many nieces, nephews, cousins, and special longtime friends. Funeral services will be held Friday, August 17, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church with Rev. Jonathan Jonas officiating. The family will