Hilda Carlene Wade Jackson

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Service Schedule
Celebration of Life
Otter Creek Community Church SBC
13000 Quail Run Dr.
Little Rock, AR  72210
Monday, June 27, 2016
2:30 PM
Hilda Carlene Wade Jackson

of Little Rock, AR

August 26, 1928 - June 19, 2016

Between Mother's Day and Father's Day of this year, Hilda Carlene Wade Jackson made it clear to family and friends that she was ready to die. Carlene's mother died on Mother's Day in 1955. Sixty-one years later, Carlene died peacefully in her sleep on Father's Day, June 19, 2016. As much as Carlene loved her children, she wanted more than anything to be reunited with the father of her children and her beloved husband of sixty-four years, Johnny Joe Jackson, Sr. who preceded her in death nearly three years ago.

Theirs was a romance worthy of a 1940's Hollywood melodrama complete with a broken engagement, a romantic rival, late night telegrams, and a fateful telephone call that reunited them for the next sixty-five years. They married and went off to Ouachita Baptist College to prepare for a lifetime of ministry. From there they served churches in Arkansas and Texas as pastor and pastor's wife while raising a houseful of sons: Johnny Jr., Paul, Brent, and Timothy.

Carlene Wade was born to Annie & Benjamin Wade on August 26, 1928, in Tupelo, MS. She was the only daughter in a household with five sons: Sidney (d. 1996), Bobby (d. 1995), Jack (d. 1978), her twin, Carl, currently of Lucedale, MS, and Jay (d. 1999). The Wades soon moved to Kosciukso, MS, where Carlene graduated from Kosy High in 1947. She was an honor student at Clark College the following year.

She loved to learn and she loved to teach. She devoted her life at home and church to nurturing young children and mentoring young women. She was given to hospitality having cooked for and hosted literally thousands of people in her home over the years. To be counted as her friend was to have a friend for life. She reveled in becoming Nana with the birth of her first two grandchildren just days apart in 1974. The joy of welcoming each new grandchild (11 in all) and great grandchild (7 and counting) never got old.

Carlene delighted in dropping salted peanuts into a cold bottle of Pepsi as much in her old age as she did when she was a teenager. She loved to laugh and often did until she was breathless and tears streamed down her face. Carlene sang praises to the Lord she loved and sang quietly over the children she adored. She lived the Biblical imperative to pray without ceasing. Nothing warmed her heart more than a conversation with a cherished friend or the sight of her progeny coming to visit. And even though her surroundings grew small in the last couple of years of her life, her curiosity about life and others remained expansive.

No verse is more appropriate to sum up her 87 years than this: 'Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.'

A public celebration of Carlene's life will be held at Otter Creek Community Church SBC in Little Rock, AR, on Monday, June 27 at 2:30 PM. Arrangements by Roller-Chenal Funeral Home, 13801 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock, AR (501) 224-8300.

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14 Condolence(s)
DW
, TN
Liked
Monday, June 27, 2016

So sorry for your loss. May you find comfort in the words spoken at John 5:28,29
(28). "Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice (29) and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life, and those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment".

Jean Orr and family
Maumelle, AR
Liked
Monday, June 27, 2016

Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. God bless.

Alice Mason
Maumelle, AR
Liked
Sunday, June 26, 2016

When I think of Mrs. Carlene, the first word that comes to mind is "kindness". What a sweet, lovely, loving lady. All of those fortunate enough to be born into the Jackson family, marry into the Jackson family, or be touched by the Jackson family have been enormously blessed by the example that she and Bro. Johnny lived, and by the love they so freely gave. She was the epitome of grace and love. She so much reminded me of my own mother. My heart is with you who remain in the days ahead.

Until we all meet there,
Alice Mason & family

Bro Frank & Andrea Worley
Redwater,
Liked
Sunday, June 26, 2016

We are saddened to hear of your loss. But we know she is rejoicing to see Bro Johnny. And others. Singing around the Throne Eternal. Prayers for you all. The Worleys

Patti Nodar McDonald
Mobile,
Liked
Sunday, June 26, 2016

Jackson family, my family in Christ and dear friends of many years, truly I am with you in prayer and celebration as you give your mommy into God's hand. I know she has longed for Heaven since your dad passed and I have prayed for you all as you embraced the final stage of her life here on temporary Earth. One of my thoughts as my dad passed away last week was "Carlene will be mad that my dad beat her to Heaven!" She is missed as my moms bestest friend from Little Rock, she, Eva Lois, and my mom were the three amigas! Her legacy as an awesome wife and mother lives on through you. Blessings, Patti

Len and Sherry Lowman
Little Rock,
Liked
Sunday, June 26, 2016

What a beautiful tribute to a much loved woman.
We are so sorry for your loss. It's obvious she will be missed immensely.
We are keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers.

Janet Badon Stephens
Mobile,
Liked
Saturday, June 25, 2016

Love Carlene and the whole family! Many happy memories from our years in the 70s at Forest Highlands! Love to all the family.

Bill Scroggs
,
Liked
Saturday, June 25, 2016

Your family is in my prayers at this time. My life was enriched to know your mom and dad and get to fellowship with them. I am sure the celebration is continuing in "That Glad Reunion Day!"

Don & Diane Richards
Memphis,
Liked
Saturday, June 25, 2016

We are praying for the family. Nana was a blessing to many. We know you will miss her greatly. May she continue to pray
God bless forever. His mercies are new every morning.

Valerie McCruel
Little Rock,
Liked
Saturday, June 25, 2016

My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time.

Love,
Valerie McCruel

Don Moore
Little Rock,, AR
Liked
Saturday, June 25, 2016

Hi Friends:

The race is complete, the battle is over, and Jesus has done what He said He would do--"come again and receive you unto myself that where I am you may be also." Glory! Whatever sweet memories may flood your minds, none are as special as her seeing her eternal dreams fulfilled. God bless you all in your loss! Even though she needed to go on, you will miss her a lot and you will never outlive the love, encouragement and wisdom she imparted to you in the years she had on this earth. "Well done...." See you in glory!
Don Moore

Beverly Sutton
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Saturday, June 25, 2016

Carlene Jackson was one of the nicest people I have ever met. She was always so kind to me personally and I will always remember that. How wonderful that she is now where she wanted to be. They are rejoicing in heaven, and that is what we should be doing on earth. God bless and comfort the Jackson family.

Susie Robinson Cross
Maumelle, AR
Liked
Saturday, June 25, 2016

She is already so deeply missed, but none of us would bring her back from the glorious place where she now lives. "Face to face with Christ, my Savior, face to face, what will it be? When with rapture I behold Him, Jesus Christ who died for me!" May the coming days of remembrance bring you joy.

Rosalind McBride
Emmet, AR
Liked
Friday, June 24, 2016

I know your hearts are saddened by the loss of your mom, but how wonderful it must be to know that she was anxious to go on and finally see her Lord and Savior, face to face. I know the Father will give you all peace and comfort for knowing this to be true.