Mrs. Kathy Dunn Jackson, a resident of Montgomery, AL., passed away May 22, 2025. On Friday, May 30, 2025, the following ceremonies will be held in the Chapel of Ross-Clayton Funeral Home, Inc. Ivy Beyond the Wall Ceremony will begin at 6:00 PM, Links Incorporated at 6:30 PM, Jack and Jill of America, Inc. at 7:00 PM and a Family Hour scheduled for 7:30 PM -8:30 PM will follow.

Resurrection Service of Music and Spoken Word is scheduled Saturday, May 31, 2025 at 11:00 AM from Old Ship AME Zion Church - 483 Holcombe Street. A private family burial will precede the Resurrection Service.

Full Obituary

Kathy Diane Dunn Jackson was born on August 3, 1940 to the union of Charles Johnson Dunn and G. Faustine Dunn. Kathy and her older sister, Charlene, were raised on the campus of Alabama State University, where their parents taught. Kathy graduated as Valedictorian of the ASU Laboratory High School. She matriculated at Fisk University where she majored in English. While at Fisk, Kathy pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Pi Chapter and graduated Cum Laude. Kathy later earned her Master’s Degree at the University of Michigan and her Doctorate of Education at Auburn University.

Kathy spent her career as Professor of English at ASU. She taught for over 35 years and served as Chair of the Humanities Department. In 1996, she received the Prudential Award for Teaching Excellence. On her birthday in 1968, Kathy married the love of her life, Samuel L. Jackson, a mathematics teacher and ASU graduate. To this union were born two children, Erika Nicole and Brandon Todd. The couple was happily married for over 56 years.

Kathy was an active member of Old Ship AME Zion Church, the church in which she grew up and that her maternal grandfather once pastored. At Old Ship, Kathy served as Director of Children’s Activities, a Steward, an usher, a missionary and Leader of Leaders. In addition to her Christian leadership, Kathy gave of herself through the Beta Nu Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc, The Links, Incorporated, Jack and Jill of America, Inc., Leadership Montgomery, the United Way, the Cleveland Avenue YMCA, and the Frederick Douglass Community Choir.

Kathy is survived by her husband Sam, children Erika (Elijah) Gardner and Brandon (Felisa) Jackson; her grandchildren, Erinn and Elana Gardner; Morgan Fowler and Braden and Brooke Jackson; great-granddaughter, Kasiah Thomas and a host of loving nephews, nieces, sisters-in-law, cousins and special friends who all cherish their sweet memories of this beautiful woman.

In lieu of flowers, the family lovingly requests donations to the scholarship fund of Kathy’s beloved alma mater, Fisk University. https://connect.fisk.edu/donate