Narcissa Wilmans Jackson

One of Newport's oldest citizens and a life-long resident of Jackson County, Narcissa Phillips Wilmans Jackson died early Friday morning, Dec. 28, in her home on Ash Street. Born in 1909 in Diaz, Ark., she was the fourth child of Robert Dorsey and Cornelia Wilmans. Known as Nonnie by her family and friends, she graduated from Newport School System, attended Lindenwood College in Missouri, and worked several years in Chicago and Washington, D.C. In 1940 she married Dr. Jabez Jackson Sr., of Walnut Ridge. During World War II she and Jabe were stationed in Columbus, Ga. prior to his tour of duty in the Army. Their three children are Jabez Jackson Jr., (Pat) of Newport, Dorsey Jackson (Lucy) of Little Rock, and Mary Elrod (Charles) of Atlanta. Nonnie always said the most important thing to her was her family. She was a devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her eight grandchildren are Mary Ann Jackson, Katherine Allen, Patricia Murray, Narcissa Jackson, Wil Jackson, Neal Lea, Elizabeth Broome and Charles Elrod. Her 11 great-grandchildren are Warner Davidson, Jackson, Thomas and Wallis Allen, Narcissa and Helen Murray, Henry and Hannah Jackson, Lucy and Taylor Lea, and Narcissa Broome. Nonnie was a faithful member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church. She enjoyed playing bridge, entertaining, and participating in family and community activities. Nonnie was often heard to say, "There is no other place in this world I had rather live than right here in Newport, Ark." She will be remembered for her fun sense of humor, her grace and Southern charm, her love of her big family and many friends, and her kindness to everyone. She was preceded in death by her husband and all but one of her siblings, her dear sister Lucy Freeman of Newport. The family wishes to thank Ava Rucker, Reese Dinwiddie, Diane Whorton, Kim Dixon-Bey and Winter Kendall who have been her committed caretakers for the last eight years. A service celebrating the life of Mrs. Jackson will be held, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, at 1 p.m. at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Newport with Rev. Curtis Jones officiating. Following the service, the family will receive friends in the Parish House. Honorary Pallbearers are her nephews - Dorsey Woodson, Bobby Newell, Jimmy Wilmans, Dorsey Wilmans, Rex Wilmans and Sam Freeman. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 301 Hazel Street, Newport, Ark. 72112, Battered Women's Shelter, P.O. Box 304, Newport, Ark. 72112, and Arkansas Children's Hospital, 1 Children's Way, Little Rock, Ark. 72202. To sign the online register book or leave a message of condolence, please visit our website at www.jacksonsfh.com. Arrangements by Jackson's Newport Funeral Home.