Dortha Lavon Jackson

Dortha L. Jackson

Dortha Lavon Jackson, 96, of Kirksville passed away Tuesday, April 22, 2014, at Northeast Regional Medical Center.

Dortha was born on February 26, 1918 in Downing, MO, the daughter of Arthur Edward and Anna (Green) Ketchum. On September 25, 1935 in Queen City, MO she was united in marriage to Wallace Jackson who preceded her in death. Also preceding her in death were her parents; brother and sister-in-law Max and Doris Ketchum; brother-in-law, Rev. Roy N. West and nephew, Larry Ketchum.

Dortha is survived by her daughter, Jeanne Clark and husband David of Brashear, son Kenny Jackson and wife Joanne of Kirksville; sister Margaret West of Baldwin City, KS; grandchildren, Alan (Barb) Clark, Danny Clark, Tammy (John) Hawkins, Stephanie Jackson, and Eric Jackson and great-grandchildren, Chris Clark, Dillon Clark, Danielle Clark, Chelsea Clark, Dalton Clark, Tyler Hirschbeck, and Sophie Hawkins, as well as nieces and nephews.

Dortha was raised in the Downing area, attended Coffey Grade School and was proud to have the opportunity to graduate from Downing High School in 1935. She and Wallace began their married life living on the Jackson family farm in the Coffey Community near Downing, where they lived and raised their family until they sold the farm in 1979 and moved to Queen City to begin a new chapter in their lives.

She and Wallace enjoyed the last sixteen of their fifty-nine years together in Queen City. Upon Wallace’s death on Easter Sunday, 1995, Dortha moved to Kirksville to live in Kirksville Heights; moving to Kirksville Manor Care in 2002. Dortha thoroughly enjoyed participating in the many activities offered wherever she lived, taking the opportunity to make new friends and gain new experiences. She valued the time she spent visiting and mentoring Kirksville High School and Truman students and was especially happy to be the adoptive grandmother for many members of Cardinal Key sorority. Dortha was greatly honored to have her portrait painted by a Truman art major. Many of her friendships with students have continued even after their graduations, and her photo with two special Cardinal Key girls remains in the Truman Visitor Center. Although she was not able to attend in person, Dortha was an avid fan of all sports—her radio was her link to KHS, Truman, Mizzou, and the St. Louis Cardinals.

She was a member of the Coffey Christian Church until moving to Queen City where she became a member of the Queen City Baptist Church. Hamilton Street Baptist Church became her final church home and where she enjoyed the ladies Sunday School class taught by Doris Wade.

Dortha was a 4-H leader in Schuyler County for many years, a Sunday school teacher, was active on various committees through her church life, and she and Wallace were active members of the Queen City Lions Club and Schuyler County Democratic Club for many years. Dortha was an RSVP volunteer in Kirksville for many years. She served as a secretary for the Schuyler County R-1 Schools for twenty-one years. Dortha learned to play the piano at the age of ten and throughout her life shared her love of music at church, school and at Manor Care.

Dortha was a faithful, lifelong Christian and was thankful for God, family, and dear friends. A quote taken from her diary attests to her deep and abiding faith: “I am thankful for our God; he is eternal, unchangeable; thankful for his wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness and truth.”

Visitation with the family will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, April 25, 2014 at Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home.

Funeral service will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, April 26, 2014 at the Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home with Dan Todd and Rev. Charles Jackson officiating. Music will be provided by Mary Goodman, organist, and Lindsey Blake, soloist. Burial will be in the Coffey Cemetery in Schuyler County, MO.

Pallbearers are her grandsons. Honorary bearers are Doug Athon, Eddie Ketchum, James West, Nick Harris, and Kevin Wheeler.

Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home

2100 E. Shepherd Ave.

Kirksville, MO 63501   660-665-2233

Memorials are suggested to the Coffey Cemetery or Kirksville Manor Care.