By John West
Mrs. Jo Frances House Jackson of Lanett was honored for her 95th birthday on Monday evening by the Lanett City Council. Mrs. Jackson was surrounded by family as Lanett Mayor Jamie Heard read a proclamation and presented her with a plaque honoring her life.
Mrs. Jackson was born in 1927 in Lanett. She graduated from Lanett high school at the age of 13. She matriculated into Clark College and graduated from Alabama State University with her B.S. in education at the age of 20. She went on to earn her masters in education and began working towards her doctorate. Mrs. Jackson, a mother of 5 children, worked in education for 49 years, has taught piano, has acted as a tutor, and volunteered at Lanier Hospital.
Heard said in part it was “… with great pleasure the Mayor and City Council herby expresses best interests and congratulations on this 95th birthday to Mrs. Jo Francis Jackson.”
For her part, Mrs. Jackson said, “I’m just proud to be alive at this time.” At the urging of Mayor Heard, she couldn’t resist telling a few jokes as well. “What goes up, but never comes down?” Jackson asked. “Your age!”