Barbara Joyce Jackson

Barbara Joyce Jackson, (nee Coates), affectionately called “Babs” and “Fordy”, was born a twin on the 23rd of April 1939 in Lucea, Jamaica. Barbara was the fourth of seven children born to William and Lillian Coates (nee Wauchope), and shared a very special relationship with her father, who passed away in 1948 when she was just 9 years old. She also shared a close bond with her twin brother Baron, until his death in 1976. Barbara first experienced school starting with an early childhood education at the age of 3 yrs, then went on to Lucea All Age School, followed by the Barracks School. While at Barracks, Barbara was introduced to Noel Jackson by her twin brother Baron. It was love at first sight, and their love blossomed and grew. To their surprise, Barbara found out she was pregnant at 16! This unplanned pregnancy unfortunately interrupted Barbara’s studies causing her to leave the school. Subsequently, she took up an apprenticeship in sewing and embroidery with an established seamstress. On May 6th 1956, Barbara gave birth to her first child and only daughter, two weeks following her 17th birthday in Lucea. Barbara took a leap of faith in August 1956, when she decided to temporarily leave the countryside for the city life, joining her partner and daughter’s father Noel in Kingston. Barbara’s relationship with Noel flourished and she agreed to not return home to Lucea. She remained with the love of her life, and so they found a little place to live, beginning life together. On August 1st 1964, Barbara and Noel decided to solemnify their relationship by getting married at the All-Saints Anglican Church in Kingston. Their union bore fruits in the form of 7 children, 6 boys and 1 girl. Following the birth of their 7 children, Barbara decided to put everything on hold and devoted herself to them. Though Barbara was devoted to the care and growth of her children, she still had other dreams and goals from a young age, all of which she hoped to realize one day. One very palpable dream of hers was to migrate to the United States and achieve a piece of the American Dream. Fortunately, a job opportunity presented itself in late 1966, and in record time, Barbara found herself on a plane headed to New York City in February 1967. In 1968, following the completion of her original work contract, she was released and free to pursue her dreams on her terms! Barbara soon realized she had a passion for nursing and began exploring studies in the field. She embarked on a program in Practical Nursing with the Lincoln Institute of Practical Nursing while residing in Connecticut. She was fortunate to be able to pursue an impressive Internship at the Norwalk General Hospital in Connecticut, facilitating the practical training necessary for her field of study. Having worked in New York for a few years garnering more nursing experience, Barbara later decided to relocate to Florida to further achieve the American Dream in a more tangible and permanent way, and in this she was very successful! Again, with faith on her side, Barbara quickly obtained employment as Nursing Assistant at the GOOD SAMARITAN HEALTH CARE CENTER in Kissimmee, where she devoted almost 20 years of her Nursing career. During her employment at Good Samaritan, Barbara was the recipient of a “Certificate of Appreciation” for “dedicated service” to the residents at the Oaks of Kissimmee, as well as the “2002 CNA OF THE YEAR”. Throughout her career at Good Samaritan, and also after her retirement therefrom, Barbara continued to participate in numerous professional development courses, successfully completing several training programs and recertifications such as “Elderly Care”; “Rehabilitation of a Stroke Victim”; “Caring for the Terminally Ill Patient at Home”. Through all the trials and tribulations Barbara experienced in her lifetime, she showed strength and resilience, a love for family and friends, as well as an indomitable spirit of survival even in the face of adversities. Barbara is survived by: - Her husband of 58 years, Noel “Peter”; - Their 7 children, Movia, Marlon, Noel Jr, Orville, Mark, Dave and Richard; daughter-in-law Beverly; - Her siblings, Newton, Norma, Vilma and Roseann; - Her grandchildren, Tshakeesha, Khrystina, Carisa, Noelle-Lee, Richard “Antonio”, Moyar, Marcus, Cameron, Noel Kristopher, Marc, Shyann and Neiman; - Her great-grandchildren: Symphoni, Nalia, Ezahn, Slade, Rhouje, Caylani, Ariyah, Santori and Nasir; - Her nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Barbara Joyce Jackson

April 23, 1939 - May 22, 2023