Ruth Ford Jackson

Ruth Ford Jackson, 93, died March 15, 2015 in Redwood City, California with family members by her side. She was born Ruth Katherine Ford on June 3, 1921 to the late Ernest and Ruth Ford of Hebron and later Laurel, Mississippi. Ruth graduated from high school in 1939 and received a Bachelor of Science degree from Mississippi College in 1943. While living in Laurel, she met the late Thomas Hardy Jackson Jr., whom she married in 1947. They remained married for 57 years until his death in 2004. The family's first home was in New Orleans. Thereafter, they lived in Natchez, MS, Venezuela and Atherton, CA. In retirement, Ruth and Hardy lived in Dallas, TX, and San Mateo, CA. Ruth was known for joyful and gracious hospitality. The Jacksons hosted parties for many groups - Hardy’s international business associates, their children’s friends, grandchildren, garden club, Bible study group, book club, and international students from nearby Stanford University. With a love for travel and culture, she travelled around the world over a sixty-year period. From her Mississippi family's roots in farming, Ruth developed a love of gardening; she created a beautiful orchard and garden at her Atherton home. Her vibrant personality, radiant smile and bright blue eyes never faded. Ruth’s signature call “Youhoo” will be deeply missed by family and friends. Ruth is survived by four children: Deborah Jackson Cozzone of Marseille, France and Singapore; Cynthia Jackson Mulit of St Louis, Missouri and Califon, New Jersey; Andree Jackson Schouten of Amstelveen, Netherlands and Jakarta, Indonesia; and T. Hardy Jackson III of San Francisco, California. She is also survived by five grandchildren: Jennifer Cozzone of London, England; Christopher Cozzone of London, England and Palo Alto, California; Matt Mulit of Santa Rosa Beach, Florida; Ashley Mulit of Budd Lake, New Jersey; and Marijke Schouten of South Hadley, Massachusetts and Melbourne, Australia. Funeral services will be held in Laurel, Mississippi at Crestview Memorial Cemetery on Saturday, March 21, 2015 at 11:30 a.m. She will be laid to rest next to her husband, mother and father. Instead of flowers, the family asks that you remember Ruth’s love of people by reaching out to an old friend or by making a new friend. Memory Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. To view and sign the family guest book, visit www.memorychapellaurel.com.

Ruth Ford Jackson

June 3, 1921 - March 15, 2015