Barbara Ann Jackson

Funeral services for Barbara Ann Jackson, 85, of Center, Texas will be held Friday, August 7, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., at the Cochran Funeral Home Chapel in Livingston, Texas with George Hayden officiating. Interment will follow at the Peebles Cemetery in Livingston, Texas. Visitation will be held on the day of service, from 10:00-11:00 a.m., at the funeral home.

Barbara was born December 4, 1940, in Livingston, Texas and passed away August 1, 2026, in Nacogdoches, Texas. She was preceded in death by her parents, Earl Wesley Rankin and Agnes (Shirley) Rankin; husband, Robert “R.E.” Jackson; and sisters Marie Rankin Damon, Ruby Rankin Kegans, Evon Rankin Ward, Louise Rankin Chalker, and Gloria Rankin Albright.

Barbara was a unique woman. She loved her husband and family with a heart full of love. She was always offering her hand and heart to help family, friends, and even strangers. She wrestled cattle, horses and stockdogs, as well as barbed wire fences, and leasers as a daily routine for years, all the while keeping food on the table and making a home for her family.

She was kind to all, but knew how to set a matter straight if needed. She was tough, and gentle, kind and stern. She fed the cowboys, hauled the hay and was at her husband's side to help in any way needed. She helped manage the Subdivision, the hunting lease, being a secretary for the many endeavors Robert was in. She was a one of a kind woman with a big heart for God, family and friends. Ready to fight for what she believed, or hug tightly as needed.

No one in the family suspected the dementia that seemed to pounce upon her fairly quick. She suffered hallucinations, delusions and physical decline the last few years of her life. She forgot where she had lived recently, but always remembered Mason Lake, her home for many years. Sometimes she talked with family who were long gone.

She made friends in the nursing facility that were some of the most precious people we have ever known. People who have dedicated their lives to help others, who can no longer help themselves. They were so very kind to her, always meeting whatever need she had. It had progressed beyond the abilities of family to provide the help she needed. Daily medical supervision, careful protective eyes, and a run to rescue, when needed, or an emergency trip to the ER.

Dementia is a horrible thing to watch. There are times things are funny, and times that are heartbreaking. It's like a circuit board in your head, where memories like wires, get crossed, mixed and blended together. The time they think they are in is 5, 10 even 50 or more years in the past, mixed with things in the here and now, with people, long gone, and present, places and things, that both happened, and things that were at one time only a dream or a thought, that are completely mixed up. There are good days and bad. She seemed to be happy, she was well loved, well cared for and in a protective place.

Though dementia isn't what took her, it was a part, other issues came and Jesus took her home. 85 years of blood, sweat, tears, hugs, love and a flurry of activity. She was never one to sit still for long, even near the end.

Barbara is survived by her daughter, Dena Jackson Aaron Burrows of Center; son, R.E. Jackson, Jr. Of Katy; daughter, Carol Jackson Vela Wright (deceased) and Haskell of Cleveland; daughter, Lois Jackson DeLaPaz, and Alfred "Duke" of Magnolia; a herd of grandchildren, Robert Aaron and Ginny of Center, JoAnna Aaron Hall and Josh of Central Heights, Jayson Burrows of Center, Steven Jackson and Tanya of Katy, Rhonda Vela Caswell and Chad of Cleveland, Johnny Vela of Cleveland, Joe Vela of Cleveland, Harry Vela of Cleveland, Noeh Vela of Cleveland, Laura DeLaPaz of Magnolia, Tracy DeLaPaz of Magnolia, Monica DeLaPaz McMillan and John of Magnolia; and a plethora of great grandchildren. She is also survived by many loved and cherished nieces, nephews and cousins, other relatives and friends.

While her loss will be full of grief and sadness, her life will be remembered as a blessing to those who knew and loved her. She will be missed, by us all.

One day Mama, I'll see you again, in a place of peace, joy and health like we never knew, beside our Savior, blessed forevermore. - Dena Burrows, your loving daughter.

Pallbearers: Robert Aaron, Joshua Hall, Tyler Barr, Maddox Aaron, Jimmy Williamson, and Chad Caswell.

Honorary Pallbearers: Jayson Burrows, Eli Matthews, Axyl Aaron, and Adam Moore.