Elma Ree Jackson

Elma Ree Washington was born on March 11, 1933 in Durant, Mississippi to Willie Sr. and Ora Lee Washington. She was the fifth of seven children. She departed this life and entered into rest on October 28, 2022.

Elma Ree graduated from Holmes County Training School. She moved to Rockford, Illinois from Durant, Mississippi in 1948. Elma was united in marriage to John Redd Sr. on June 1, 1950 and two sons were born John and Ricardo.

Elma was united in marriage to Fred Douglass Jackson on July 20, 1962 and remained married for 59 years until his death. Elma and Fred had two children. Elma was kind, hardworking and very giving. Her husband was the love of her life. She enjoyed traveling and music, she loved dancing with Fred. Her love for music was blues (Bobby Blue Band - Angel) and R&B, she loved to sing and dance.

Elma worked at Northern Natural Gas for 20 years. Elma and her husband traveled often, home and abroad. She was a member of American Legion Women's Auxiliary.

Elma was preceded in death by her parents Willie Sr. and Ora Lee Washington; brothers Leroy Washington, Willie Washington Jr.; two sisters Mary Jane Davis and Lillie Mae Walker.

Elma leaves to cherish her memory sons John (Jane) Redd of Omaha, Nebraska and Ricardo (Jodi) Redd of Saint Louis, Missouri; six grandchildren Joseph Redd, Sharyn Wright, Felisia Redd, Teresa Redd, Anderea Winfrey, Ashley Lardner; seven great-grandchildren; two sisters Beatrice Hunt of Chicago, Illinois and Hernestine Ferguson; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.