Born in White Springs(Black Bay), Florida
Mother Henrietta Udell Jackson. Father Wilmer Jackson
Biological Father: Malcom MayCole
She was a beloved, courageous and determined woman.
She was the second eldest of eleven children. She worked diligently and had a strong passion for reading. Her early childhood years involved work which included vegetable planting, tobacco harvesting, picking cotton and preserving fruits and vegetables. In the midst of all the work she managed to attain literature to read daily. She was venturous and desired various challenges. Her siblings were the first students. She set the precedent for family and followed with reinforcement throughout her life.
Vivian took her biggest step as an adolescent, when she chose to leave JRE Lee High School and enter the walls of Hamilton County High School. She was a member of the first class to graduate after integration in 1970. According to her recollections, it was a strong struggle for equal treatment. Then she followed by attending North Florida Junior College; graduated and went on to earn her Bachelor’s in Early Education from The University of West Florida. Her mother and siblings worked very hard to support her through school. Vivian interned in Gainesville, Florida while residing with her aunt. She then returned to Jasper and began teaching Title I Reading at Hamilton Middle School.
She taught for approximately 13 years in the classroom. In that realm, she continued her educational pursuit of her Master’s Degree from NOVA University and then Specialist/Educational Leadership from FAMU/FSU. Her next career move was accepting the role as an administrator with the Hamilton County School Board. Whereas,she also had many other roles within the system which included involvement in Migrant Education, Reading, and Title I Programs. She was instrumental in bringing many grants to the school district such as the Reading First Grant. She received national recognition for her involvement in Federal Programs.
She was affiliated with numerous professional and community organizations such as President of the FAMU Alumni Chapter, Vice President and Scholar Chairperson of the FASFEPA, participant in the Relay for Life, School Tutor, Migrant tutor and advocate, Mt. Pleasant AME Church Steward Board and the church choir, Cuz Club and last but not least her love and joy was her membership in the Kappa Eta Omega Chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Her last venture involved her purchase and ownership of Kiddie Learner’s Day Care. She knew her calling was to make a difference in the community by contributing to the education of children through reading. She tolled daily not just to complete grant deadlines but to ultimately make a difference in the lives of children. Vivian was certainly a champion for the children and their success in Hamilton County Schools and a strong advocate for reading and lastly a professional supporter of NCLB. She enjoyed her family, job, community and being involved. She strongly enjoyed participating in all of her family reunions. And thrived in making ideas come to life. Even through her illness she maintained strength, courage and will to persevere by encouraging others and her family day by day.
She was married with two wonderful children that she cherished dearly.
Our chain is broken, but we will link again.