My dear friend Gail Jackson Rowe passed away on Valentine’s Day. Gail and I became good friends from the day we met in Miss Gray’s 7th grade homeroom at Rock. We’ve lived in different cities since high school graduation but would always look for each other at our Flyers’ reunions. I cannot believe that she will be included in “In Memoriam” at this year’s reunion. She won’t be present but I will feel her beautiful spirit. I will miss you, dear friend. Here is her obituary:
Gail S. Jackson Rowe entered this world October 20, 1945, the only daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Arthur Mells Jackson, Jr. in St. Louis, Missouri. She departed this life on February 14, 2018 at the age of 72 surrounded by loving family in Dayton, Ohio.
Gail lived a life of service in education and leadership. For family, church and community, she could be counted on to step up to challenges, face them head on, but always with grace and decorum. Gail was a warrior for education, especially for the underserved within the public system. She retired after 35 years with Dayton Public Schools in an extensive and illustrious career. Gail achieved Golden Soror status (50 years) with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Beta Eta Omega Chapter. A faithful member of New Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church, she was Congregation President (12 years), President of Perpetua Circle (women’s group) and served on the New Hope Child Care Board of Trustees, as well as many other committees. She was a proud alumnus of Fisk University (1967) continuing the legacy of her father and grandfather. She was a leader in the region’s Fisk Alumnus group.
Gail was preceded in death by her beloved father, Dr. Arthur Mells Jackson, Jr. Survivors include her precious mother, Florence Marie Jackson; a loving son and daughter-in-law, Garrett Michael (Sharifa) Rowe; three granddaughters, Nia Mychael, Ivy Simone and Janeé Shani ; two brothers, Alan Geoffrey (Lowakea) Jackson and Arnold Warren Jackson; a great-niece she raised, Katelyn Jackson; devoted nieces, Jasmine (Corwin) Lanier and Javonn Jackson; cherished great-niece and nephews, Corinne, Jaylen and Ja’Corey; special cousins, Lynn Renea Edmonson Cummings and David Laurence Edmonson, Jr.; devoted friends, Linda Ford, Cheryl Knight-Phillips, Benette DeCoux and Naomi Davis; the Rowe Family with whom she remained close, and a host of other dear cousins, relatives and friends.
Sandra L. Mosley (Banks)
Gail S. Jackson Rowe entered this world October 20, 1945, the only daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Arthur Mells Jackson, Jr. in St. Louis, Missouri. She departed this life on February 14, 2018 at the age of 72 surrounded by loving family in Dayton, Ohio.
Gail lived a life of service in education and leadership. For family, church and community, she could be counted on to step up to challenges, face them head on, but always with grace and decorum. Gail was a warrior for education, especially for the underserved within the public system. She retired after 35 years with Dayton Public Schools in an extensive and illustrious career. Gail achieved Golden Soror status (50 years) with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Beta Eta Omega Chapter. A faithful member of New Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church, she was Congregation President (12 years), President of Perpetua Circle (women’s group) and served on the New Hope Child Care Board of Trustees, as well as many other committees. She was a proud alumnus of Fisk University (1967) continuing the legacy of her father and grandfather. She was a leader in the region’s Fisk Alumnus group.
Gail was preceded in death by her beloved father, Dr. Arthur Mells Jackson, Jr. Survivors include her precious mother, Florence Marie Jackson; a loving son and daughter-in-law, Garrett Michael (Sharifa) Rowe; three granddaughters, Nia Mychael, Ivy Simone and Janeé Shani ; two brothers, Alan Geoffrey (Lowakea) Jackson and Arnold Warren Jackson; a great-niece she raised, Katelyn Jackson; devoted nieces, Jasmine (Corwin) Lanier and Javonn Jackson; cherished great-niece and nephews, Corinne, Jaylen and Ja’Corey; special cousins, Lynn Renea Edmonson Cummings and David Laurence Edmonson, Jr.; devoted friends, Linda Ford, Cheryl Knight-Phillips, Benette DeCoux and Naomi Davis; the Rowe Family with whom she remained close, and a host of other dear cousins, relatives and friends.