Elsie Jean (Champion) Jackson

Yes Elsie Jackson, 85, passed away surrounded by family and friends on May 12, 2019 in Jacksonville, Florida. She was born on September 12, 1933 in Waycross, Georgia to the late Thomas Gilbert and Etta Belle (Meaker) Champion. She has two sisters, Myrtle Jackson (Robert) and Hazel Keen (Henry) and one brother, Randall Gilbert Champion (Margaret). She married Joseph Jackson in 1956, but they divorced in 1972. 
She is survived by her children, Karen Jackson, Janice Peterson (Jerry), Richard Jackson (Elaine), her grandchildren, Cisco Napier, Warren Napier, Jamie Peterson (Tameka Pullins), Brandon Peterson (Tiffany Dixon), Tabatha Carmichael (James), Ricky Jackson, her great-grandchildren, Caleb, Tyler, Carra, Jeremiah, Bryce, Jacob, Kailey, James, and Jackson, her sister, Hazel Keen, several nieces and nephews, Jennifer Peterson, Ralph M. Hurlbert and Ridge T. Hurlbert who she considered to be like grandsons. 
Elsie raised her three children alone, without financial support from the father, but with the support and help from her mother, father in law and sister, along with friends from the church. She also cleaned the church and babysat children to earn some money to help feed her children.  Having little to no money, she stretched a dollar further than anyone we knew. Even when she finally had some money, she still lived her life that way. But she was a giving woman. Each week that she went shopping she wanted to make sure she bought some food to donate to help those less fortunate because she knew what it meant to be hungry. A scripture that reminds us of her is found in Philippians 4:12-13. It says, "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
For the most part, Elsie was one of the most healthy women you would ever meet. She didn't see a doctor (other than for pregnancies) until she was 80 years old. She loved her doctor (Charles Haddad), but had no qualms about telling him she didn't need any pills and excess procedures. While in the hospital, she told every nurse and physician who entered the room that he was the only doctor who had ever done anything that worked. 

Elsie was a long term member of Northside Church of God in Jacksonville, Florida where she served in the nursery for approximately 48 years. It was clear to see that working with children was definitely her calling. Even in stores and public places, children gravitated to her. On the Sunday a week before she died, she went to church, and even knowing she would be going to the hospital, she  went in to make sure they had her tithe money. As you can imagine, several people immediately surrounded her to lift her up in prayer. There's a reason this church was so near and dear to her heart...they live what they preach. They went above and beyond to provide any need that she or the family had. Four of their pastors were in the room when she took her last breath. 
There are so many words that could be said about Elsie, but the words that speak of who she was at the core are "faithful servant" and "righteous woman." That is how she will be remembered.
 

Services will be conducted at 11:00 am on Monday, May 20, 2019 at Northside Church of God, with Pastor Judy Weeks officiating. 

Visitation with the family will be held one hour prior to service time (10:00 am until 11:00 am) at the church. Interment will follow in Restlawn Cemetery.

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