Nettie Lee Jackson, a compassionate and tireless advocate of quality education for all children, died peacefully at home on September 10, 2013 at age 88. A resident of Hartsdale, NY, she was a concerned and activist parent, a community leader, a public school secretary, a union president and a personal mentor to scores of students in the Greenburgh Central School District No. 7.
In an acknowledgement of her community impact, the school district board of education earlier this year lauded Nettie for going the “extra mile” for children. “Your daily walk alongside children has taught them how to walk and by your example … where to walk,” the award said. “Your footprints will be the stepping stones to their future.”
Nettie worked in the Greenburgh schools for over 20 years and also served as president of the Greenburgh Civil Service Organization. She was a powerful voice for school and community concerns through her participation in community activities including the Greenburgh Police/Community Advisory Commission and the Poet’s Corner Civic Association.
Born in King and Queen County, Virginia on December 24, 1924, Nettie graduated from Virginia State College in Petersburg with a degree in business administration. She married Luther P. Jackson Jr. in 1952, and moved to Hartsdale in 1971.
Nettie was the recipient of numerous awards including the Italian-American Heritage Foundation of Westchester Community Service Award, the Lee F. Jackson School Loving Hands Award, a Certificate of Special Recognition for Outstanding Volunteer Service at the Lee F. Jackson School, a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition and an award for dedicated service from the Church Women United, White Plains Unit.
She is survived by her son Luther III, daughter-in-law Cecilia Deck, grandsons Alexander Lee of Montreal, Canada and Martin Lee of San Jose, CA; sister Helen Roane, several other beloved relatives, and numerous friends and colleagues. Her parents, husband Luther Jr., and son, Lee Frazer predeceased her.
There will be a wake at 6:30 p.m., Monday, September 16th followed by a 7:00 p.m. funeral service at the Calvary Baptist Church, 188 Orawaupum Street, White Plains, NY. Burial will be Thursday, September 19th in Petersburg, Virginia through JM Wilkerson Funeral Establishment.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in memory of Nettie Jackson to:
Lee F. Jackson Scholarship, c/o Woodlands High School Scholarship Fund, P. O. Box 139, Hartsdale, NY 10530.
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