Nona L. Jackson

Longtime Danville resident Nona Louise (Earp) Jackson died in her home of natural causes on June 5, 2024.

She was born on July 16, 1930, in Frederick, Okla., to Louise (ne Phipps) Earp and A.G. Earp, and lived there through most of her childhoodwhich included dodging Dust Bowl effects to get to school and relaxing with her many aunts and uncles every Sunday while eating homemade peach ice cream. At 15, Nona moved briefly to North Carolina with her mother and stepfather, Cyril M. Urbas, and then again to Westville, Ill.where she saw snow for the first time and struggled to understand dialects and culture new to her.

Soon after graduating Westville High School in 1948, Nona married Robert Jackson and moved to Danville, where she worked alongside him for Jacksons Gift Store (owned by his parents Frieda and Joe Jackson) and later worked for his company, Jackson Interiors. She raised four childrenTanya, Nancy, Carol, and Roband helped chaperone and raise money for the various sports teams and extracurricular activities they participated in. She made many of their clothes, their Halloween costumes, and costumes for plays. She was active in numerous organizationsthe Junior League, the Follies, the PTA of Edison Elementary Schooland later, she was among the first women allowed to join the Elks Club. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church for 71 years.

Though she spent the last three years in Lexington, Ky., Nona resided in Danville for most of her adult life. In the 1970s she owned and managed The Bath Shoppe in downtown Danvillea boutique of bathroom accessories and linensand travelled cross-country to meet designers and manufacturers who could supply her inventory. Years on, she enjoyed working in the front office for several different dentists. Throughout her life, she took pleasure in playing cardsbridge, euchre, rummyand was known for her delicious pies.

Nona was preceded in death by her daughter Tanya, her parents and in-laws, and her ex-husband Robert. She is survived by children Nancy Jackson, Carol Jackson (and son-in-law Edward Bevan), and Rob Jackson, and by numerous cousins and their extended families.

At 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 22, 2024, a service celebrating Nonas life will be held at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Danville, Ill, (3940 N. Vermilion St., 61834), preceded by visitation at 2:00 p.m. Inurnment will be in Spring Hill Cemetery.

Donations may be made in Nonas memory to St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital.

Remembrances may be shared on Nonas tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.