April 10, 1942 – April 28, 2017

LUBBOCK, Texas — Services for Tessie “Tess” Ruth Jackson, 75, of Lubbock, Texas, who died Friday, April 28, 2017, at University Medical Center in Lubbock, will be 2 p.m. today at St. John’s United Methodist Church, 1501 University Ave., in Lubbock.   
Burial will be 4 p.m., Friday, May 5, 2017, at Little River-Wilson Valley Cemetery, 1680 Wilson Valley Loop, Little River – Academy, Texas 76554.
Mrs. Jackson was born April 10, 1942, in Temple, Texas, the daughter of Joe and Avis Dupree.
Tess and her older sister, Marsha Rogers, grew up in Temple and often worked at their parents’ local grocery store — Dupree’s Grocery. She attended Temple High School, graduating with the class of 1960. After high school, in 1962, Tess received an associate in arts degree from Temple Junior College in Temple. In 1964, Tess received a bachelor of arts degree, graduating magnum cum laude from Texas Wesleyan College in Fort Worth, Texas.
Later Tess served her country proudly in the U.S. Navy as an ensign. She received a degree from U.S. Naval Women Officer School in officer indoctrination in 1975 in Newport, R.I. She also received the Honors Award at the U.S. Naval Women Officer School for attaining the highest honors in both academic performance and military aptitude in class 502W. She met Virgil F. Jackson Jr., a young naval aviator in Memphis, Tenn., in 1965. The two fell in love and were married Feb. 18, 1967. Before her honorable discharge from the U.S. Navy in 1973, Tess served as a communications officer and admiral’s aide. Together Tess and Virgil started a family and traveled the world, as her husband continued serving the U.S. Navy of more than 30 years. During her family travels in the U.S. Navy, Tess raised three boys, Frank, James and Curtis, and worked as a school teacher in a number of locations across the country. She was also involved in a number of charitable and philanthropic activities donating her time to various organizations, including the National Preservation Society in both Rhode Island and Maryland. She lived in Texas, Tennessee, Vermont, Louisiana, California, Maryland and Rhode Island.
Tess and her family moved to Lubbock in 1990. Tess enjoyed being back in Texas, returning to her family and friends and longtime Texas roots. Tess and Virgil celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, Feb. 18, 2017. In addition, Tess was a longtime member of St. John’s United Methodist Church in Lubbock where she served as church secretary and was an active member of the choir. She was also active in the United Methodist Women Group serving in various roles including president and communications coordinator in 2017. Tess loved God, was dedicated to her church, always put her family first, loved to sing, garden and could out cook anyone. She also enjoyed reading , writing poetry, could debate on any given topic and loved to talk sports and politics.
Survivors include her husband, Capt. Virgil F. Jackson Jr., USN Ret.; three sons, Virgil “Frank” Jackson III and wife, Christi, of Wichita Falls, Texas, James William Jackson and wife, Dena, of Vidalia, and Curtis Raymond Jackson and wife, Megan, of Austin, Texas; seven grandchildren, Tate, Caley, Nasif, Ava, Sawyer, Dupree and baby Tessa (on the way.)
Tess was a great daughter, sister, wife and mother and an even better grandmother. She was a wonderful friend to many people in Lubbock, and a respected member of the community. A kind, caring, loving person, Tess was a joy to be with. She will be missed by all.
Online condolences may be sent to resthavenfuneralhome.com.