Betty Jane Jackson, 87, passed away Wednesday, August 23, 2023, at ECU Health Medical Center in Greenville.

A graveside service will be held Saturday, September 2, 2023, at 11AM at Maplewood Cemetery, 419 Lincoln Street, Kinston. The family will receive friends at the family home after the service.

Betty was born December 26, 1935, in Lenoir County, to her loving parents and eleven older siblings. She attended Southwood School for 12 years with perfect attendance and spent free time and summers working on the family farm. She graduated from Meredith College in 1958 and began teaching at Southwood School. There, she met and married Joseph Jackson. After the birth of their two children, the family relocated to South Carolina. In 1982, she returned to the family farm and lived there until her passing. She was a teacher and guidance counselor at Woodington School, attended ECU and earned a Master’s Degree in Education, and retired after working for several years in the central office for Lenoir County Public Schools. For 25 years, she was the organist and choir director at Woodington Methodist Church, and later became a member of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Kinston. She was a Master Gardener with the Agricultural Extension Agency, and she enjoyed being involved with the Lenoir County Historical Association. The family would like to thank Mrs. Pearlie Davis, Dr. Pradeep Arumugham, the staff at UNC Lenoir, and the CICU nurses and staff at ECU Health in Greenville for their professional and compassionate care at the end of her life’s journey.

She is survived by her son, Jonathan J. Jackson of the home; daughter, Laura L. Jackson and husband Andrew Duppstadt of Kinston; granddaughter, Lucy Morgan Jackson of Bluffton, SC; sister, Meta Mae Kennedy of Kinston; and innumerable nieces, nephews, cousins, and other extended family.

Betty is preceded in death by her parents, Joseph Williams and Meta Stroud Williams; former husband, Joseph E. Jackson; nine brothers and one sister; and special friend, Dr. William Sumner.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to either the Lenoir County Historical Association, or the Lenoir County Master Gardeners.

Arrangements made by Edwards Funeral Home & Cremations. Online condolences may be expressed at www.edwardsfhc.com.