Mrs. Mary Lee White-Jackson

Mary Lee White-Jackson, 98, transitioned from life on Thursday, December 21, 2023, at her home in Lexington, MS. she was born to the late James White Sr. and Martha Jane Freedom White on April 15, 1925, in Holmes County; she was the first child of James and Martha White. She accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age at Zion City M.B. Church in Pickens, MS. After many years of residing in the city of Lexington, Mary joined the Southside M.B. Church in Lexington, MS. She was educated in the Holmes County School System. As an adult, always looking for ways to provide a better life for her children, she attended Holmes Community College (Goodman Campus) and received a spot welding certificated. Mary provided cleaning service for some local businesses and homes; cooked for restaurants, convenience stores, private homes, and schools; and retired as a cook from the Holmes County Hospital (UMMC) in Lexington, MS in May 1991. Mary had an open heart, taking many into her home to live with her and her family. Mary helped to raise not only her own children, but many others. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, three sons: Julies Howard, John Henry White, Will Lee; three brothers: William, James Jr., and Johnnie White; and three sisters: Zelpha Flowers, Sallie Cox, and Evelyn Cox. Mary was truly loved by her surviving three daughters: Rosie (Matt) Williams of Bolingbrook, IL., Ella Wese Miller and Sallie (Johnny) Williams of Lexington, MS; five sons; Willie C. Howard, William Earl (Rosie) White, Frank Howard, and Sam (Lucinda) Wright of Lexington, MS, and Wilbur James Howard of Chicago, IL; one foster son, Jerry Banks of Benton, MS; and one adopted son, Allen Wayne Gilley of Lexington, MS; She was blessed with fifty-five grandchildren, eighty-eight great-grandchildren, seventy great-great grandchildren and one great-great-great grandchild. She is also survived by three daughters-in-laws: Ethel Howard of Pickens, MS, Annie Lee Wright of Chicago, IL, and Lawanda Lee of Oswego, IL; two sisters: Ella (Jimmie) Lacey and Martha Griffin of Pickens, MS; two nephews who were like her sons, Jimmie Davis of Plainfield, IL, and Robert Davis of Chicago, IL; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Visitation will be Friday for the family at 12:00 noon with the public viewing to follow at Hairston-Hairston Funeral Home in Lexington, MS. Funeral Service will be Saturday at 12:00 Noon at St. Paul C.O.G.I.C., 17214 MS-17S, Lexington, MS. Interment will be in Greenlawn Cemetery, 761 Arenia C. Mallory Rd. in Lexington, MS..

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Mrs. Mary Lee White-Jackson

April 15, 1925 - December 21, 2023