R. Jackie Blackwell was born to the late Earl M. Blackwell and Mabel (nee Lipscomb) Blackwell, on May 1, 1940 in Yanceyville, North Carolina. Jackie was the oldest biological child of eight. She spent countless days under her beloved grandmother, who she affectionately called Ma. Ma exposed Jackie to cooking and how to be a lady at an early age. This is when Jackie actually learned to cook. But due to the promise of better educational opportunities, her parents decided to relocate her to Cleveland, Ohio. Jackie would go home during the summers, continuing to learn and help her grandmother until the younger siblings relocated to Cleveland. She then began putting her knowledge to use raising her siblings and preparing daily meals to help her mother.

Jackie was educated in the Cleveland Public School System. She graduated from John Hay High School in 1958. She then attended and graduated from The Irma Lee School of Cosmetology as a licensed cosmetologist. Jackie was quickly employed by Neva Thomas because of her natural talent as a professional stylist.

Jackie accepted Christ at an early age. She united with The 2nd Metropolitan Baptist Church and worked joyfully under the tutelage of the late Rev. B.T. Biringham. In 1959, after a church service at 2nd Metropolitan, Jackie met and began dating the love of her life, Oliver Poole Jr.. The two wed in June of 1961 and enjoyed martial bliss for over 65 years! What a Blessing! To this union, four children were born: Anthony, Gerald, Angela, and Anita. All would successfully enter adulthood but several would be called home to Glory at various stages of life. Through all the heartache and tears, Oliver and Jackie cleaved to one another and kept God in the midst of every trial, tribulation and decision -together as a family.

Jackie served God as a missionary, setting aside Monday as her day to visit the sick and shut-in. She would care for her own sick mother and child but then go wash, cook and clean for others with debilitating or terminal illnesses. She did this until her last child graduated from high school, and occasionally after that, as time permitted. She was a faithful servant and deaconess at 2nd Metropolitan, Grace MBC, Christian Hope and Central Bible. Jackie loved people and helping anyone in need, so she felt this was an honor and her Christian duty so she completed this task willingly and cheerfully. She is still known at all these churches as the lady who fed everyone. She would often joke that when people saw her, they saw food…perhaps a slice of cake or maybe something new she was creating. Most friends and family were willing guinea pigs to her many flavorful creations. Food was a love language that she was exceptionally gifted with. This resulted in many expanded waistlines and hours of exercise for all she came in contact with. She never met a pot, pan, stove or oven that she couldn’t master.

Once Jackie mastered cooking, she went back to school to become a caterer and event planner. She was sought after to do countless weddings from directing to catering and baking the wedding cakes too! As she aged, numerous couples she would later bump into would recall the excellent job she did with making their special day just as they envisioned it, and she would remember them fondly and smile. She touched countless lives in many different ways simply by loving to serve others.

As they grew older, she and Oliver moved their membership to Calvary Assembly of God. It was important that they continued to actively worship and serve God together. The Calvary church family embraced them with open arms and they have been members ever since. Jackie volunteered with the children’s ministry and often kept the younger babies. She always said, “Once a mother, always a mother,” and this was always a huge part of her identity. She loved, influenced, and helped raise EVERY niece, nephew, childhood/ neighborhood/ church friend that crossed their threshold with her own children. She parented with love, compassion, and discipline because she understood that children need guidance and structure to become productive members of society. Many of the children have kept in touch with her and are present to pay their respects today. She was the neighborhood mom and everyone knew and respected her. Neighborhood parents would get reports when needed. But usually her demeanor would calm the situation and disperse the crowds. Those children are now parents and grandparents using the same methods and teachings to raise multiple generations of responsible, respectful children.

Thank you for loving us all. Job well done! Be proud and take comfort in knowing your labor was not in vain and you left an indelible mark on the hearts of everyone blessed enough to be mentored/ taught by you.

Jackie was proceeded in death by her parents Earl and Mabel Blackwell; in-laws: Sylvester and Helen Jones; siblings: Suddah, James, Charles, Earl, George Blackwell; her beloved children: Anthony, Gerald and Anita Poole.

86 years of living, loving and serving her husband, family, community and most importantly God, has allowed Him to call her home from active service and into her reward. She departed this life peacefully with her loving husband and best friend by her side. She leaves to cherish her memory: her devoted husband Oliver; daughter Angela; grandchildren: Gerald M., Keturah Bonner (Denzel), Ronald Jr, and Aaliyah Coleman; great-granddaughter: Arionna; bonus grandchildren: Angela and Anthony Coleman; sisters: Cathlene and Georgette Blackwell; brother: John Blackwell (Eva); sisters-in-law: Patsy Poole, Gwen Poole; oldest living sister/ best-friend: Willa Love; and a host of nieces, nephews, bonus children and friends – all aka “Her Precious Loves!”

Humbly submitted,

The Poole Family