Geraldine Jackson

Geraldine Jackson was born in Washington DC on May 10, 1944, to the late Vernell Harris and Eppie Edmonds. After the death of her mother, she relocated to Halifax, Virginia and was raised by her grandparents, the late Andrew and Virginia Edmonds. Geraldine and her sister, Devora, relocated to Brooklyn, New York to live with their father and stepmother, Eppie and Bernice Edmonds. Geraldine was educated in the New York City Public School System where she graduated from Central Commercial High School and later earned an associate's degree from Plaza Business Institute.

In 1973, "Jean" as she was affectionately called, married William (Pap) Jackson, and from that union they were blessed with four children, Devora(Granny), Angelique (Peewee), Danielle (Hicky), and Darren (Mushy).

In 1977, Jean, Devora and their families moved from Brooklyn to St Albans. She worked for the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) from 1984 until her retirement in 2014.

Geraldine joined the Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church in 1984 under the leadership of Bishop Charles E. Betts, Sr. where she continued to build a strong personal relationship with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She was an active member of the missionary ministry and looked forward to serving those homebound, in hospitals, and nursing homes. Jean loved the outdoors. She loved to walk and stayed on the go. Nothing held her back. Her bus, van, and train rides were a source of many unbelievable commuter stories. She also happily explored every borough of New York on those little, short legs, and loved to walk park and nature trails. When she wasn't exploring or traveling with her sister Devora and BFF's Joann, Sandra, Rose and Celeste, Jean found nothing more enjoyable than to spend quality time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her guilty pleasure was watching her favorite TV programs like "The View", and no matter if in real-time or taped, Jean rarely missed her soap operas.

"The Young and the Restless", and "The Bold and the Beautiful" were staples of her day. Jean also loved to laugh and loved to make you laugh. The many comedies she loved to watch only added fuel to her powerful sense of humor. Her wit was sharp, and her infectious laugh was contagious. Even more, Jean's hilarious outlook on any situation balanced with her intelligence, her uncanny insight, along with her quick thinking, made her everyone's favorite conversationalist and kept all within earshot on their toes. There was no issue of topic being too big or too small for Jean, and any discussion was made better when you joined her for one of her favorite burgers that she thoroughly enjoyed regularly.

On the afternoon of February 4, 2025, in the presence of her children, she peacefully departed this life. She was preceded in death by her father, Eppie Edmonds, her mother Vernell Harris, and her sister, Devora Thomas. She leaves to cherish her memory: her children:

Devora Gordy(Sean), Angelique Johnson (Robert) , Danielle Jackson, Darren Jackson( Monique); sister, Darletta Jackson; two brothers: Darryl Edmonds and Duane Edmonds; stepmother: Bernice Edmonds; her grandchildren: Kathea, Jahdeira, Heru, Jamel, Christian, Kendl, Kaelin, Imani, Autumn,  Amaya, Zenaiya, Prince, and Madison; great-grandchildren Christopher, Samara, Noah, Victoria, Rashaad, Kyree, and Jayden; sisters-in-love: Brenda Clarke, Sharon Moses, Sandra Huff, Rose Burke, and Celeste Washington; nieces and nephews: Tawanda Thomas and Aaron Thomas aka "second son" a host of great nieces and nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.