Psalm 30:5: "Weeping may stay for the night but joy comes within the morning".

Hortensia ‘Sophia’ Jackson was born July 3, 1962, in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. She was the 9th child born to the union of Teretha Bradshaw and Johnnie Jackson, Jr. She is preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, Johnnie Jackson, Sr., brothers Zachary, Pedro & Thaddeus, sister Annie Marie, cousin, Hycord Kinard and uncle, James ‘Bobby’ Jackson. Sophia received her primary education in the St. Johns County Florida Public School System. She started school at Walter E. Harris School and received her High School Diploma in 1980 from Hastings High School. Sophia earned an Associate of Arts Degree in History from Miami-Dade Community College, Miami, Florida 1982, Bachelor of Science Degree in Communication From the University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 1984, a Professional Certificate in Personnel Management From Miami-Dade College, Miami, Florida 2007, and a Real Estate License from the Gold Coast School of Real Estate, Miami, Florida also in 2007. After graduating college, she began a career with the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Passport Division. She was employed at the Miami Passport Agency, Miami, Florida as a Passport specialist for 20 years. She became disabled from her job in 2004. After retirement, Sophia called upon the Construction Trade Skills she learned while in High School. She really enjoyed building and repairing things. Nothing was too big or too small for her to try. She often recited something her brother Zachary often said, “Nothing Beats A Failure But A Try and A Failure Ain’t Nothing But A Try.” She took great pride in doing a thing herself and when she didn’t know how to do something, she eagerly learned. Sophia would routinely send daily photos of the progression of her projects to family & friends. Upon completion she would write ‘Sophia’ someplace on the project along with the date of completion. She did her own house painting, she bragged about using a 4” roller & a 1.5” brush inside because she had the time to be, deliberate. She changed or upgraded everything in her home herself. She hung doors, installed ceiling fans, light fixtures, faucets, electrical outlets & switches, installed surveillance systems, installed cabinets, maintained her lawn & swimming pool. The projects she completed in and around her home were her joy. She would often say “What else do I have to do.” Sophia believed that making something with your own hands was important and that it built character. Sophia enjoyed all genres of music, collecting movies, travelling, cycling, meeting people, reading, spending time with her family & friends and she loved life. She leaves to cherish her memories beloved brothers and sisters: Theophilus Jackson; James Jackson; Donald Williams; Bobby (Denovia) Smith; George (Cynthia) Wilson; Henry (Shirley) Simon; Sisters: Hildegard Felder; Loretta Jackson; Gracieta King Jackson; Patricia Ann Gibbs; Michelle Jackson-Session; Robbie (Carl) Cunningham; Katrina Williams; Rhonda Whitley; Stephanie (Anthony) McCoy-Glover; Leslie Brown; Aunt: Mary Frances Jackson; Goddaughter: Ashley Deshommes Green; Special Cousins: Freddie Williams-Maxwell; Godfrey Smith; Best Friend; Pauline King Deshommes and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and sorrowing friends.

Services:

The Jackson Family will receive friends and the community from 5:00p.m - 6:30 p.m., Friday, January 24, 2025, at The Lord's Temple Church.

A Celebration of Life will be held 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 25, 2025, at The Lord's Temple Church, 140 Gilmore St, Hastings.