Melinda Ann Jackson Rn, Bsn

Melinda Ann Jackson, also called “Girl” by her closest family
and friends, was born on May 29, 1967 to the proud parents,
John and Lee Ella Edwards, in Houston, Texas. She was
introduced to Christ at an early age and was baptized at St.
Bartholomew in Katy. Melinda loved to love on people and took
great pride in being the eldest sister to Janella, Amanda, Jackie,
Christopher.

Education was very important to Melinda. She attended
Holleman Elementary, Waller Jr. High School, and Katy Senior
High School. During these early years, she often showed
compassion and a heart for people. It was no surprise when she
chose to become a nurse. She graduated with her bachelor’s
degree in Nursing from Prairie View A&M University. This
degree was one of her greatest accomplishments and she
cherished her line of work.

Melinda’s career spanned over a variety of healthcare facilities.
She was able to spread joy at Memorial Hermann Hospital,
Methodist Hospital, Rosewood, Solera, and, her most recent
place of employment, West Oaks Nursing and Rehabilitation.
Being a nurse was her passion and it suited her servant heart.
She was known for her patience, heart of gold, and desire to help
people. She would often recite the Serenity and Nurse’s Prayer.
She often exemplified the verse Galatians 5:22 “But the fruit of

the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness.”
While celebrating the Fourth of July in 1996 at a mutual
friend’s house party, Melinda met Calvin Jackson and they
became inseparable. This led to their union December 4,1999.
Their marriage was full of laughs, good times, and they often
found time to enjoy each other’s company. One of their favorite
games to compete against each other was Family Feud. She
didn’t fuss or boast whether she won or lost, because making
lifetime memories is what mattered the most to her.

Beyond being a daughter, sister, nurse, and wife, nothing
brought Melinda more joy than being a mother to Monica and
Jaden. She often bragged about raising two “only” children
because they are 17 years apart. She spoiled them both but
differently and they were okay with that. Allowing Monica to
sleep in the bed with her until she was 13 years old and ordering
Jaden’s food at the restaurant even though he could do it himself
is what she did. Those were her babies and she LOVED her
kids. Their happiness is what brought her pleasure and she
showed them how much she cared any time she could.

Although we were not ready for her transition to Heaven,
Melinda was greeted by her father, John Edwards, sister, Janella
Edwards, Grandparents, Curley and Lena Edwards, Corris and
Viola Dumas, aunts, Lou Anna Boutte, Rosa Mae Thibodeaux,

Mary Joubert, Rosella Fontenot, Elizabeth Edwards, Rosemary
Smith. uncles, Issac Thibodeaux, Euris Edwards, Mervin
Dumas, Wilford Joubert, Willie Edwards, Floyd Edwards,
Robert Edwards, and Martin Boutte. As she arrived, we know
they sang and danced as they read Matthew 23:25 “Well done,
my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in
handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more
responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!” For that scripture
alone gives us peace.
Melinda will be greatly missed by her mother, Lee Ella
Edwards, her husband of 20 years, Calvin Jackson, her two
children whom she loved dearly, Monica Edwards-Hammond
(Peter) and Jaden Jackson, step-children, Calvin Jackson
Jr.(Cassie), Karmeisha Jackson(Oscar), and Douglas McDaniel,
her siblings, Amanda Greely (Kevin), Jackie Hopkins (Tracy)
and Christopher Edwards (Danielle), sister-in-law, Jacqueline
McGee, brother-in-law, Samuel L. Jackson Jr, two god-children,
Regeorgia Thibodeaux Lange, Timothy Thibodeaux Jr., aunts,
Geneva Boutte, Patricia Jones (Eric), Josephine Seldors, Georgia
Mae Edwards, uncles, Arthur Edwards (Edna), Frank Boutte
(Hattie), nieces, Jessica Greene, Madison Edwards, Aria Smith,
Ashlee Greely, Keyona Greely, Cynthia Sherman, nephews,
Jordan Greene (Tony), Jonathan Edwards, Kevin Greely
Jr.,Bryson Smith, Peyton Edwards, David Taylor, Nicholas
Benton, grands-in-love, Paisley Hammond, Andrea Jackson,
Cayden Hammond, Emerson Hinton and a host of extended
family and friends. All of these she loved and touched deeply.