Opal Laverne Jackson

Opal Laverne Jackson age 93 went peaceably to be with the Lord on July 10, 2024. In her final days she was surrounded by family and friends. Laverne was born on May 6, 1931, in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma to Will and Maude Vandever. She was the only girl with five older brothers, she graduated high school in Glendale Arizona. 

Laverne loved her children and raised all eight of them on her own. She worked several jobs in order to support her family. After her children were grown she owned her own business and did bookkeeping and tax consulting. She loved to sew, making clothes for her children and later after the kids were grown, she enjoyed making quilts for her children and grandchildren. She was raised in the Pentecostal Holiness Church and loved the Lord. After her children were raised, she served in the ministry and pastored several churches. Laverne had a beautiful voice and love to sing. Every time she went to any church, she was asked to sing a song. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, her five brothers, and her son Kenneth. Laverne is survived by her husband, Richard Jackson, sister in law Juanita Vandever, and her children Linda Bolte (Toni), Elizabeth Howlett (Danny), Madeline Moody, Carol Howlett (Max), Connie LaLonde, Barbara Perez (Ruben) and Jim Howlett (Pam). She had 18 grandchildren, Michael, Jennifer, Leah, John, Christina, Jefferson, Amy, Heather, Dawn, Leticia, Jeremy, Dustin, Keri, Mark, Matthew, Lisa, Michae,l and Carson. She also had eight great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.