Reflection of Life

Alveria Lorraine Jackson was born in Cleveland, Ohio on January 2, 1960, to Joseph Jackson Jr (deceased) and Marva Jackson. She was the only child born of that union.

Vera, as we called her, received her education in the Cleveland Public School system, graduating from John F. Kennedy High School before moving on to Nursing School, where she graduated with honors. Following her commencement, she dedicated 40 years to healthcare. From hospitals to home health care, she strove to provide the care she would want her loved ones to receive and advocated for every patient.

On December 24, 1991, the union between Vera and Louis Heiskell gave life to Valarie Jackson, her only daughter, and her pride and joy. She was her daughter’s biggest cheerleader and supported every one of her endeavors. Because of the strength Vera always showed, her kind and giving heart, and the nature of her lifesaving work, Valarie and her husband Mark lovingly nicknamed her Wonder Woman. She was a hero to the many lives she impacted.

Vera was a devout Christian that, through nursing as well as service within Valarie’s schools, became not only a hero but a guardian angel to many. She was baptized at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, where she was a member, in 1999. She later attended Lee Road Baptist Church with her mother while caring for her, but continued virtual attendance with Mt. Zion.

Vera was one of the founding members of Thrive Behavioral Health and was very passionate about her work. She moved into Compliance and HR, and continued in that field with Charmed Enterprises until the Lord called her home.

Vera loved to bake; her specialties were German Chocolate cakes and red velvet cakes. She also loved trying new recipes and wanted to open a restaurant or bakery one day. Her favorite snacks were chips and mixing things with yogurt, making different parfaits. She was a movie buff and enjoyed action/adventure movies; her favorites were The Matrix and Castaway. Vera also loved Tablescaping, the artistic and decorative arrangement of items on a table to create a visually appealing scene. She took stunning photos and prepared fun parties.

Beautiful and loving memories will forever be cherished by those she dearly loved. Vera’s legacy is continued and cherished by her daughter Valarie Jackson and son-in-law Mark Adkins Jr. She is survived and forever remembered by her mother Marva Jackson, step-father Oscar Hunter, her stepbrother Rasul Warren (Traci Warren) and a host of other family and friends.