Frances Jackson Jones was born on April 28, 1918, and peacefully slipped into the arms of the Lord on Thursday, July 15, 2021. She was one of six students of the 1936 graduation class of the Hanover County Training School in Ashland, Virginia. She became a member of Brown Grove Baptist Church and worked faithfully in many ministries as a member of the Senior Choir, Usher Board, Missionary and Pastor’s Aid. She promoted many fundraising initiatives such as Tom Thumb Weddings, Gleaner Rallies, 100 Women In Red and 100 Men In Black. Included in her community activities were March of Dimes fundraising, P.T.A. membership and a Past Matron of Eva M. Jackson #211 Order of Eastern Star, PHA.

She loved the Lord, her family and the Brown Grove community. She embraced the young and the old and was affectionately known as Nana, Mom Frances, Miss Frances or Aunt Frances. Her house was open to everyone whether it was a place for family to stay, a place to grab a bite to eat, (fried chicken, homemade soup or her delicious corn pudding). If you were extra special and dropped by during the Christmas/New Year’s season, you would likely get a smidgen of her delectable ambrosia. It was also a place to rest and get a cold drink of water while walking along Ashcake Road.

Frances was employed by Hanover Shirt Factory for many years and there she became a second mother to many of her fellow coworkers. It was shared by one of her coworkers that Frances, at times, had to take on the role of being an intermediary. The younger workers had deep respect for Miss Frances. While working at the shirt factory, she and her husband, Willie R. Jackson Sr. built and operated a little store named Jackson’s Grocery.

Nana was preceded in death by both her husbands, Deacon Willie R. Jackson Sr. and James Lee Jones, and two children: Frances L. Mason (Sweetie) and Willie R. Jackson Jr. (Player). She leaves to cherish her memories one son, Marvin S. Jackson (Mary), stepson, Jasper Jones, son-in-law, Wallace A Mason Jr., daughter-in-law, Virginia J. Jackson, four grandchildren: Saundra R. Watkins, Sherwood Mason (Evorn), Shelia R. Spencer (Kenya), Keith D. Jackson Sr. (Nancy) and Marcus E. Parker; seven great-grandchildren, eight great-great grandchildren; brother-in-law, Rev. Benjamin H. Jackson Sr., sisters-in-law, Marian Alston, Dorothy Brooks, Cora Edwards and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.