Towanna Helena Mitchell Jackson

Mrs. Towanna Helena Mitchell Jackson, departed from her earthly life on Friday, October 11, 2019 to be with the Lord.  She was born on November 30, 1948 in Shelby, North Carolina.  She was the daughter of Joseph Caldwell Hamilton and Tomie Mae Howard Gee.

At age 11, she moved to Neptune, New Jersey where she attended Neptune High School.  Towanna furthered her education by receiving early childhood teaching certifications from Brookdale Community College and Trenton State University, now The College of New Jersey.

Towanna taught pre-kindergarten for the Inter-County Community Council, and Acelero Learning Head Start programs for 34 years until she retired. She gave her life to Christ and allowed God to use her to work tirelessly for the church and the community. She was a member of Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama.

In 1969, She married Erroll Dupree and out of their union were born Nicole and Dana. In 1977, she met Jerry Mitchell, they became husband and wife and remained together for 32 years until his demise. She was devastated and did not believe she would find happiness again.  However, fate would not have it that way.  Towanna reunited with a long-time friend Calvin Jackson Jr. The two decided to marry on October 28, 2013, and resided in Union Springs, Alabama until her passing.

Towanna loved her children, grandchildren, in-laws and all of her family and friends.  She was a free-spirit who believed in speaking the truth.  She was an elegant and beautiful woman inside and out.  Towanna will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph Caldwell Hamilton and Tomie Mae Howard Gee; former spouse, Jerry Mitchell; goddaughter, Sheminka Rivera; brother-in-law, Shelton Dupree; sister-in-law, Bobbyruth Moore; brothers-in-law, Charles and Ronald Mitchell; and special friend, Ruth Gray.

Towanna is survived by her husband, Calvin Jackson Jr.; daughters, Nicole Joseph (Rodin), and Dana Dupree; aunt, Julia Adison; grandchildren, Ayana, Ian, Camille and Aeneas; step-daughters, La Donna Mitchell, and Tammy Mitchell; stepsons, Wayne Mitchell, Tyene Mitchell, Tron Mitchell, and Jerry Mitchell, Jr.; step-stepdaughters, Yvette Miller, Patrice Harris, Rebecca Pines, Tameka Jackson and Gwendolyn Bosewell; stepson, Calvin Jackson, III (Kaylin); former spouse, Erroll Dupree; sisters-in-law, Doloris Dupree (Aaron), Carolyn Brackett, Doris Dawson, Thelma Gray Daniels, Mary Dupree, Christine Spruill (Willie), Shirley Rhines, Jacqueline Reed (Eugene), Judith Hunter (Sylvester), Judy Hunter, Bettye Straughter, and Brenda Penn (Joe); brothers-in-law, Gerome Dupree, Joseph Dupree, Henry Mitchell (Yvonne), Harold Mitchell (Susan), Rev. Michael Mitchell (Phyliss), Robert Mitchell (Marlene), George Mitchell (Betty), William Mitchell (Bernice), Ricky Mitchell (Shea), Reginald Mitchell, Carl Wayne Mitchell, Johnslon Mitchell, Jon Anthony Mitchell, Walter Harris, Sr., Earnest Jackson (Christine), Richard Hannon, Jr., Terry Jackson, Sr.(Jeroline), and Bernard Jackson (Cora); eighteen step-grandchildren; two step-great grandchildren; special friends, Elaine Taylor, Peggy Beckley, Patricia Barr, Geneva Forman, Thomasina Shanks, Diane Stewart, and Maude Jones; and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews.

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