Hazel I. Jackson

Hazel I. Jackson, 87, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 7th 2014. A resident of Lancaster, she was born in Seneca, S.C. on September 20, 1926. Hazel was one of ten children born to the late Pearl and Charlie Jones. Hazel married the late Grady Jackson in 1952. She is survived by her two daughters, Cheryl Holland-Jones, husband David Jones, Rosalyn Jackson-McAlpin, husband Sheldon McAlpin and one son, Charles Proctor Jackson, wife Yolanda Jackson; six grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren; two siblings, Clark Flack and Harry Jones. She was preceded in death by siblings, Mable Harrison, Eula Head, Maggie Hines, Charlie Jones, Leo Jones, RJ Jones and Robert Jones. Hazel received her B.A. from South Carolina State University in Secondary English Education and a Masters of Education Degree from Temple University. She completed her post-graduate work at Delaware University. Prior to moving to Lancaster in 1952, she taught four years in the public schools of South Carolina. Upon her relocation to Lancaster, Hazel was unable to gain employment in her chosen profession due to racial inequality at that time. She accepted a position at RCA where she worked for nine years. In 1961 Hazel became the first African American female teacher in the School District of Lancaster where she taught for nine years. She furthered her teaching career as an Assistant Professor of English and African American Studies at Millersville University as the first African American professor until her retirement in 1994. Hazel lived an active full social and private life. She was involved in countless church and civic activities, a few affiliations past and present include: Bethel A.M.E. Church, Church Women United, AARP Choir, Lancaster Chapter of the NAACP, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc., Theater of the Seventh Sister and The Lancaster City Planning Commission. Hobbies included extensive travel, writing and directing plays, senior exercise, line dancing, reading and she was an avid competitive Scrabble player. Public viewing will be held at Bethel A.M.E. Church at 450 E. Strawberry St. Lancaster, PA 17602 on Friday, July 11, 2014 from 7pm-9pm, reflections from family and friends can be shared at this time. An additional viewing service will be held at Bethel A.M.E. Church on Saturday, July 12, 2014 from 10am-11am. Her Home Going/Celebration of Life Service will be held at Millersville University, 1 S. George St. Millersville, PA 17551, at the Student Memorial Center (SMC) in the Reighard Multipurpose Room at 1pm. If desired, memorials may be made to the Hazel I. Jackson Scholarship Fund, Development Office, Millersville University, PO Box 1002, Millersville, PA 17551.

Hazel I. Jackson

July 8, 2014