Mrs. Mary Francis Jackson

Mary Francis Wooten (Jackson) was one of fourteen children born to Nathaniel and Dessie Wooten in Mineola, Texas, on August 2nd, 1944 and took her place in God’s heavenly arms early Sunday morning, September 27th, 2020. Mary graduated from Mineola’s McFarland High School in 1963. After a brief stint working, Mary realized that she needed a college education to achieve her aspirations. She subsequently enrolled in and later graduated from Texas College in Tyler, TX with a Bachelor degree in 1969. She was later awarded a Master of Arts degree from Central Michigan University in 1974. While an undergraduate in 1968, Mary entered the magnificent sisterhood of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Alpha Tau Chapter, on Texas College’s campus. In 2018, Mary reached the honorable distinction of “Golden,” bestowed upon those with 50 years of service to the sorority. Her legacy continues through her daughter, Kendra, and nieces, Daphne Jones, Kimberly Dever and Lori Walker. Mary was encouraged to relocate to Saginaw, Michigan by her cousin, F. Jeneatta Johnson, to apply for teaching positions. Upon doing so, she was hired into the Buena Vista School District to teach elementary school, where she worked for 35 years. Not yet ready to stop making a difference in children’s’ lives, after retirement, Mary worked for an additional 10 years in the Ricker Middle School’s after-school tutoring program. God blessed Mary to find the love of her life, Richard Jackson, and they were married in 1977. To this union, a lovely daughter, Kendra LaToya, was born. Mary was a faithful servant of Bethel A.M.E. Church for over 50 years where she was a member of the Gospel Chorus, Stewardess Board and Sunday School ministries. She also held dear to her heart her sisters within the United Sisters of Christ organization - who strengthened and tirelessly prayed for her until the very end of her journey Mary leaves to cherish her memory, her devoted husband of 42 years, Richard Jackson, her loving daughter, Kendra Brown (Khari); two brilliant grandchildren, Kaleb Nathaniel and Kira Renea; sisters, Florence Anderson (James) of Tyler, Texas, Jennell Gordon (Edward) of Schertz, Texas, Alla B. Jackson, Odessa Slayton and Carolyn Tennyson (Alfred); brother, Aron Wooten, all from Mineola, Texas; a special brother-in-law, Jesse Jackson (Mattie) of Fayetteville, Georgia; a host of cousins, nieces and nephews; a special cousin, Sandra Parker; goddaughters, Symone Parker and Valecia Johnson; special friends, Rosetta Boarden, Georgia Hemphill, Stella Johnson, Beatrice McAfee and Delores Williams. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Nathaniel and Dessie Wooten; sister, Jewel Slayton; brothers, Nathaniel Jr., Flemon, Leonard, Lincoln, Theodore and Charles Wooten and cousin, F. Jeneatta Johnson. The family would like to express special appreciation to the Heartland Hospice staff and Dr. Frank Worden, Dr. Erin McKean, Mary Beth DeRubeis, NP, and the team at Michigan Medicine’s Rogel Cancer Center. Funeral service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 3, 2020 at Bethel A.M.E. Church, 535 Cathay Street, Saginaw, MI 48601. Pastor Dennis Laffoon will officiate with entombment in Oakwood Memorial Mausoleum, 5950 Gratiot Road, Saginaw, MI 48638. Friends may call at Evans & Browne's Funeral Home, 441 North Jefferson Avenue, Saginaw, MI 48607 on Friday from 2:00 until 6:00 p.m.

Mrs. Mary Francis Jackson

August 2, 1944 - September 27, 2020