Sarah Jean Jackson

On Christmas Day in 1930, a bright light entered the world—Sarah Jean Williams—born in rural South Georgia. She spent her early years under the loving care of her grandmother, and following her grandmother’s passing, Sarah moved to live with her mother and stepfather, helping to raise her siblings with quiet strength and a steady hand.  Sarah’s roots were deep in the red clay of South Georgia—Davisboro, Bartow, and Statesboro were all places she called home. She didn’t have a fancy life. She lived with grace, humility, and a faith that never wavered. She was baptized in a Georgia creek alongside her brothers and sisters and, from her earliest days, she knew and loved the Lord.

 A gifted seamstress as demonstrated in her high school 4H classes, Sarah earned a scholarship to Savannah State College. But it was a persistent suitor, Malakie Jackson, who took her hand in marriage after one week of college, and in 1948 that launched a lifelong partnership built on love and faith. Together they reared eight children—Hubert, Mattie Ruth, Lee Ernest, Sandy, Cheryl, Sue, Mark, and Tony—across Georgia and Ohio. After living in Lockland, Lincoln Heights and in Wyoming on Burns Avenue, she and her family settled on  Brookhaven Avenue in Cincinnati. Sarah loved to cook and was known for her legendary fish fries, bundt cakes, and cooking every day like a Sunday dinner. She also had a deep love for fishing and on the weekends, you could find her and at least one of her children at Calvin’s Lake and Winton Woods to share in that love.

Sarah was an early and faithful member of Burress Temple Militant Pillar and Ground of the Truth, where she served for nearly 70 years. She gave tirelessly as Sunday School Superintendent, Children’s Choir Director, Missionary, and President of the Ministers Board.  She served faithfully on the national level as she did locally, and in recognition of her dedication, she was appointed President of the National Evangelists, the first time someone would hold this position in the church’s history.  She received countless honors for her tireless service and unwavering faith, and was serving as the President of the Burress Temple Ministers Board at the time of her transition. Sarah lived what she preached—and she preached far and wide. Through her witness, many came to know the Lord—including many members of her family, her children, and  her beloved husband, Malakie, who was saved, became a deacon, and served beside her until his passing in 2005.

Her home in Cincinnati was a welcome respite for weary travelers, always offering a warm bed and a home cooked meal.  She loved her family fiercely. Her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were her joy. Sarah’s legacy is one of unwavering faith, sacrificial love, and deep service. She ran her race with endurance, fought the good fight, and kept the faith. Her voice, her spirit, and her prayers live on in all who knew her.

Sarah was preceded in death by her husband Malakie Jackson, her parents and grandmother, and her siblings Ada “Patsy” Jackson, Johnny Williams, Henry Lee Williams, and Freddie Bostick, and son LeeHolmes Jackson.

She leaves to cherish her memory her beloved children: Hubert (Pam) Jackson, Cincinnati, OH; Lee Ernest Jackson, Colorado Springs, CO; Mattie Ruth (Mary) Brown, Cincinnati OH;  Sandi (Jerome) Todd, Lorain, OH; Cheryl (Gregg) Daniels, Cincinnati, OH; Sue (Vincent) Williams, Cincinnati, OH; Mark (Angela) Jackson Cincinnati OH; Tony (Taydra) Jackson, Atlanta, GA and Bessie Jackson (wife of LeeHolmes), Bowling Green, KY; her siblings: Isaac “Ike” Williams, Cincinnati, OH, Dora Grove, Toledo, OH; Annie Pearl Grove, Cincinnati, OH; Sally Mae Bostick, Ocala, FL; Betty Mae Nelson, Sandersville, GA; her only two living sisters-in-law Bertha Noble and Shirley Jackson, along with thirty-two (32) grandchildren, thirty-six (36) great-grandchildren, three (3) great-great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, beloved friends, and the entire Burress Temple family.

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