Mary Elizabeth Jackson

Mary Elizabeth McKnight Jackson, age 89 of Maryville, passed away Thursday, January 1, 2015, at Shannondale of Maryville. In 1942, Mary Elizabeth McKnight arrived at Maryville College, Maryville, Tennessee from Kingstree, South Carolina. She graduated in 1946 from Maryville College with a B.A. Degree in Education. She met Robert C. Jackson and they were married February 15, 1947. Mary Lib taught and substituted in the city schools while her children were young. She was Room Mother, Girl Scout Leader, Boy Scout Assistant Leader, as well as teaching Sunday School at Maryville First United Methodist Church. She has been active in volunteer work and civic affairs for most of her adult life. She was President of the Maryville College Alumni Association, on the Board of Directors, as well as Chairman of the National Alumni Board. Her gifts to Maryville College and the University of Tennessee supported programs benefitting international students. She was on the Boards of the former Smoky Mountain Passion Play, Knoxville Opera, Blount County Children's Home, Knoxville Area Children's International Summer Villages, and American Field Service Organizations. She was named to the Chancellor's Associates, a support group at the University of Tennessee. In 1989, Mary Lib was named to the regional Board of Directors at the Bank of East Tennessee and named Vice-President of the Blount Memorial Hospital Foundation. This was formed to help the hospital, built in 1947, with contributions from citizens of Blount County. The Foundation was established as a mechanism to encourage continuing financial gifts to the hospital. The first fund-raising was the establishment of a Christmas Tree of Lights at the entrance of the hospital. After twenty-four years this is an ongoing event. At present she is a member of Maryville First United Methodist Church, Maryville Kiwanis Club, and Chilhowee Club, having joined as a Junior Club member in 1960. She helped begin The Investment Club. She served as President 1975-1976, President of District II of TWFC, and Chairman of the Chilhowee Club Board of Directors. She is preceded in death by her husband, Robert Cowan Jackson; son, Robert C. Jackson, Jr.; parents, Covert Pierson McKnight and Mary DeBelle Evans McKnight; sister, Jeanette McKnight Harken. Survivors include her children, Frances Irene Jackson, Nanci Elizabeth Jackson (Patrick Rakes), Peggy Elaine Jackson, and William Andrew Jackson (Sandie Pettersen Jackson); grandchildren, Richard Dennis Gardner, Jr., Cara Marie Gardner (Brian Cowley), Lauri Elizabeth Jackson Stockman (Tim), Martin Galen Jackson, Aimee Jackson Hall, Erik Nathaniel Hall, Robert Thomas Jackson Eldridge, Laura Elizabeth Jackson Eldridge, Ashley Elizabeth Jackson and William Andrew Jackson. The family will receive friends from 4-6:00 p.m. Sunday at McCammon-Ammons-Click Funeral Home. Family and friends will meet at 1:00 p.m. Monday at Magnolia Cemetery for the interment service. A memorial service will be at 3:00 p.m. Monday at Maryville First United Methodist Church with Rev. Catherine Nance officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Maryville College, 502 E. Lamar Alexander Parkway, Maryville, TN 37804.