11/06/2025
Yesterday, we celebrated the life of the woman who shaped mine, my Grandma, Mary Lois Jackson.
It was one of the hardest days of my life. This wasn’t just my grandmother… this was my second mom. I talked to her every single day, especially on my way to pick up Romeo, Gigi, and Riri. And every day, she would fuss at me for not having snacks and drinks ready for the kids in the car. She’d say, “They’ve been at school all day! Feed those babies!” That was her love language: care, nurture, and a little bit of fussing to make you better.
I’m going to miss those calls: the laughter, the lessons, and her voice that always found a way to ground me. But I know she’s in a better place, and I know she’s proud.
Grandma was the woman who did THEE MOST.
She taught generations of children to read and write as a teacher’s aide.
She coached basketball, softball, and cheerleading.
She was an entrepreneur before it was a trend, selling Avon, candy, and helping run her parents’ store.
She even started the Star Center Beauty Pageant in Monetta, a program that helped build confidence, poise, and pride in young Black women throughout the community.
She was a mother of the church, a choir director, the food committee lead, a Vacation Bible School teacher, a Youth in Action Director & the list goes on.
So when y’all say “Joy, you do too much” just know, it’s in me because it was in her.
I come from a woman who did it all with faith, love, and purpose.
Her legacy is my assignment, and I’m going to finish strong.
34 years of lessons, laughter, and love and I’ll spend the rest of my life making sure her legacy lives on. 💐
