Obituary | Dorothy I. Jackson | Bradshaw & Range Funeral Home PC (2024)

Dorothy Ittabena Jackson was the youngest of four children born to Tom and Myrtle Sims (Adams) in Brookhaven, Mississippi on May 8, 1933. She had one brother and two sisters. Due to the loss of her father, Dorothy’s mother relocated her family to Waukegan, IL, where she met and married
the only father Dorothy knew, Melford Smith.

Dorothy was blessed to have three younger siblings, two brothers and one sister. Dorothy’s family attended Shiloh Baptist Church in Waukegan, IL, where she was baptized by the late Rev. JN Lightfoot. Her faith in God was exemplified by her service as a Sunday School Teacher, choir member and liturgical dancer. Dorothy’s formal education took place in Zion, IL, where she attended Elmwood Elementary School and graduated as Valedictorian from Zion Benton Township High School, Class of 1951. She was voted most likely
to succeed. She was co-editor of the school newspaper High Times and the Nor’Easter yearbook. As an Honor Roll student, she proudly delivered the graduation commencement speech among her predominately white classmates.

In the Fall of 1951, with just a suitcase in her hand and a train ticket, Dorothy matriculated into college at HBCU, Fisk University, in Nashville, TN. The following year, Dorothy met James Leroy Jackson from Waukegan, IL. They were married, May 16, 1953 for 35 years. Dorothy and James were a loving and “happening couple”. And as love would have it, God blessed them with three children; two boys, James Ronald, Vincent Leroy and one daughter, Stephanie Joy. Dorothy had strong family values, to her, family was everything. Dorothy was a most cultured women, she loved the fine arts, painting creative writing, gourmet cooking, jazz music and attending the theatre. Dorothy’s legacy as an “Renaissance Black Woman” will live forever. She was a brilliant, phenomenal woman, that carried herself with dignity, confidence, style and finesse.

She served as a member of the NAACP and Urban League of Lake County, IL. She believed in hard work and perseverance. Education was the way up and out of poverty. She said, “they can take a lot of things from you, but the one thing they can never take away from you, is your education.” Dorothy was a prolific reader and an excellent writer. She authored a book for her children, titled “The Mosquito and the Dragon”. Dorothy began her career as a Civil Servant at the Great Lakes Naval Base, in North Chicago, IL. She received a Noteworthy Performance Award for her Duty at Naval Examining Center, Great Lakes, IL, 1968 to 1973. Dorothy worked for a short stent at the Zoning Department of Lake County, IL. There she was intrigued the job, which inspired her to attend Lake Forest College, Lake Forest, IL to learn more about urban studies.

Dorothy, returned to the US Army, at Fort Sheridan Army Base, the following year, to work in the EEO Department. Dorothy enrolled in an adult weekend college program, while working full time and raising a family. In 1977, she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies from Mundelein College. Dorothy was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa Society, the most prestigious American academy society that honors collegiate excellence. Dorothy was a lifetime member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. She was initiated into the illustrious sisterhood with eleven other women, on the inaugural line of the Waukegan Alumnae Chapter on June 12, 1982. Dorothy and her line sisters coordinated a community outreach program at the Veterans Hospital in North Chicago, IL. Dorothy was key in creating and chaired the chapter’s first Black History Month program; one year featuring the late great Lou Rawls. Dorothy served on several committees, including Beautillion Militare, Game Night fundraiser and the New Year’s Eve Ball. While these accomplishments are astounding, she received a new promotion as Equal Employment Specialist for the US Army Corps of Engineers, in Chicago, IL.

Dorothy received the Department of the Army Certificate of Achievement in recognition of outstanding accomplishments in support of the US Army Corps of Engineers, EEO program, during the period, July 1986 through June 1987. Dorothy moved to Virginia to advance her career as EEO Officer for the Department of Defense Commissary Agency (DECA), at Fort Lee, VA. Dorothy focused on resolving complaints and facilitating seminars on Valuing and Managing Diversity. Dorothy successfully completed 40 years of civilian service working with the US Army. She retired in 1994 with high accommodations and a United States Metal of Achievement Award. Dorothy started her career as a desk clerk GS-1. She masterfully climbed the corporate ladder and retired as an EEO Officer, GS-15. Dorothy moved back to Illinois to be with her family after retirement. She lived in Oak Park, IL from 1997 until 2021. She was a member of Judson Baptist Church, Oak Park, IL and she was a very active senior, participating in exercises classes, dance, the arts, theatre and caring for her grandchildren.

Dorothy Ittabena Jackson leaves to forever cherish her memory: three children, son James Ronald Jackson of Oak Park, IL, daughter Stephanie Joy Jackson-Rowe (Wesley) of Chicago, IL, son Vincent Leroy Jackson of Oak Park IL; two God-sons Ronald Massey of Atlanta, GA, Calvin Livingston, of New Jersey; five granddaughters, Shakedia Jones, of Waukegan, IL, Elizabeth Griffin, of Miami, FL, Eboni Imani Joy Rowe of Chicago, IL, Rachel Chioma Lee Rowe of Chicago, IL, Jocelynn Onyinye Dee Rowe, of Chicago, IL; two grandsons, Julian Jackson of Los Angeles, CA, and Aaron Brandon Earl Rowe, of Chicago, IL; two great grandsons, Kode Jackson of St. Louis, MO and Armani Baughns, Chicago, IL; and two great-grand daughters, Jamison Jones of Waukegan, IL and Chaven Summer Stacey, of Miami, FL; a very special brother Clarence Smith of Lansing, MI and sister Valerie Ann Parker of Kenosha, WI; along with a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and a special best friend of 70 years, Odessay Massey of Chicago, IL.

Dorothy Ittabena Jackson was preceded in death by her loving parents Melford and Myrtle Smith, her paternal father Tom Sims; two sisters, Mary Beatrice Robenson and Martha Elizabeth Brazelton; two brothers, Thomas Sims and Melvin Smith Sr.; two sisters in-laws, Bertnella Sims and
Carolyn Smith; two brother in-laws, James Robenson, and Samuel E. Brazelton; three nephews Gordon Frank White Jr., Theophilus N. Cox and Glenn Steven White; two nieces, Sharon Williams and Clarita McKen.

A Celebration of Her Life Service will be held at 12:00 Noon, Saturday, December 4, 2021 at the DLB Ministries, 623 Kenosha Road, Zion, IL. Rev. David Barrett, Pastor, Rev. Dr., Donald Barrett, Officiating. Interment will be at Pineview Memorial Park Cemetery, Beach Park, IL. Visitation will begin at 11:00 A.M.

The Waukegan Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., will host a special final farewell Omega Omega memorial ceremony for Soror Dororthy I Jackson on Friday, December 3, 2021 at 7:00 pm. at Bradshaw & Range Funeral Home, 2513 W. Dugdale Road, Waukegan, IL.

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