Visitation: Thursday, July 16, 2020
Visitation Time: 4:00 – 6:00 PM
Visitation Location: Postell’s Mortuary Chapel
811 North Powers Drive
Orlando, Florida
Service Date: Friday, July 17, 2020
Service Time: 10:00 AM
Service Location: Postell’s Mortuary Chapel
811 North Powers Drive
Orlando, Florida
Obituary:
Nora Douglas Jackson, 72, of Belle Isle, Florida, departed this life on Friday, July 10, 2020. Nora was born on August 11, 1947 in Jacksonville, Texas to Lucy Ann Douglas and Joseph Douglas, Sr. Nora was an American Patriot on a lifetime mission to uplift and improve the lives of underserved children, teens and families. For Nora, growing up in Tucson, Arizona in the 1960’s meant many wonderful family and friend gatherings for holidays and “just because”. With a cadre of special friends there were skating outings and picnics. It was Nora, her siblings and friends along with other Black teens in Tucson who were responsible for planting hundreds of tree saplings in Randolph Park. Their efforts – made possible through a federal government program, would transform the treeless scrap of land in downtown Tucson into its own Central Park.
Nora inspired many individuals to include service in their daily walk. Her life was a whirlwind of civic duty which included feeding the hungry, tutoring children and adults, providing college scholarships for deserving youth and reducing hunger by participating in numerous food drives and community feeding programs. Besides being a longstanding employee of Pima County – first in Pima County Clerk of the Courts and then in the Child Support Unit, Nora served as a guardian ad litem at the Pima County Juvenile Court and as a volunteer tutor for youth and adults with the Laubach Literacy Council. A sincere and compassionate individual, Nora learned phrases in Tohono O’odham which deepened trust, respect and kindness with the men, women and children she encountered. She also served as program coordinator for “Volunteers for Youth” which trained willing adult volunteers in skills needed to improve English literacy for speakers of other languages.
Additionally Nora was a member of Mt Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in Tucson, Arizona where she served on the Usher Board, high school scholarship committee, Harvest Fellowship and as a dedicated Tutor in Mt. Calvary’s Summer Saturday Enrichment Program. Nora was also invited to join The Chocolate Dolls Civic & Social Club whose mission was to provide scholarships for college bound Black women by the founder and her longtime friend Rita Price. Yet, it was The Eureka Club – a civic and social organization founded in 1932 by Black Christian women in Tucson that provided Nora with a foundation of leadership. The group provides college scholarships to deserving Black students in the area. A graduate of the University of Phoenix, Nora served as past president of the El Sol Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association which also provided scholarships for financially deserving young women.
In 2009 Nora Douglas Jackson would meet and fall in love with Curtis Jackson – a widower from Orlando, Florida. They shared many interests including serving the Lord and the underserved, cross country road trips, fitness, football, basketball and golf. She retired January 2, 2010. Two weeks later, Nora married Curtis Jackson inside of a packed Mt. Calvary Church. After a lavish reception at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base and two months leisurely travel to celebrate with family and friends across the United States, the Jacksons arrived in Orlando, Florida on March 1, 2010.
In Orlando, Nora immediately found a rewarding volunteer experience near her new home as a classroom assistant/mentor at Pershing Elementary School. Amazed at her dedication, the school named her “Volunteer of The Year.” Nora joined her husband’s church – Shiloh Baptist Church where she joined the Usher Board, the “Fifth Sunday Breakfast Club” and the staff of VBS. When Shiloh Youth Director Brenda Batten successfully secured a grant through The City of Orlando Mayor’s matching Grants program it was Nora who tutored and helped recruit additional retirees to provide FCAT tutoring to youth in the community.
Together, Nora and her husband Curtis were active in the Shiloh Annual Mobile Food Drop through Second Harvest Food Bank. Not quite ready for retirement, Nora worked occasionally for the Amway Center as a Sky Box Greeter, a Poll Worker on Election Days and a Proctor for school exams. From these experiences she gained many new friends.
Nora joined the 38th Annual Central Florida Medical Society fundraiser gala committee in securing attendance and contributions needed to award scholarships to deserving youth accepted to medical schools.
In her Belle Isle community of Lake Conway East, Nora enjoyed the friendship of a close knit community which included holiday gatherings and cookouts on the lake. When the Lake Conway East Homeowners Association needed to fill a board vacancy, Nora didn’t hesitate. Her interest in local and national history led Mrs. Jackson to the Rosemont Woman’s Club and voter registration initiatives of the League of Women Voters of Orange County.
It was an invitation to join the Orlando Chapter of Chums, Incorporated by her Belle Isle neighbor and founding Orlando Chapter member Pearl McLeod in 2012 that allowed Nora to outsize her generosity. Chums, Inc. was founded in 1946 and incorporated in 1952 with the national theme, “listen to the children…enrich their lives.” This prestigious national organization invited Nora to share her experienced stewardship for the betterment of children. Nora initially served as Chaplain as well as on the Scholarship, Finance & Budget, and Luncheon Committees.
At her untimely passing, Nora served as Financial Secretary for the Orlando Chapter of Chums, Incorporated. In 2018 Elizabeth Saunders, National President of Chums, Incorporated – appointed Nora to the National Projects Committee. Elizabeth shared, “Nora was a valuable member of the committee adding wisdom to our organization’s focused direction on behalf of our children. Nora will be missed as a friend and a Chum Sister.” Together Nora and her husband Curtis relaxed with dear friends of the The Dinner Club and Tee-Lo Golf.
Nora Jackson is survived by her beloved husband, Curtis Lee Jackson; sister, Ora Douglas, Tucson, Arizona; brothers Nathaniel Douglas, Tucson, Arizona, Lorenzo Douglas, Tucson, Arizona, Joseph, II Douglas, Denver, Colorado, Velton Lyles (Esther) Tucson, Arizona; nieces and nephews, Stephannie (Kenneth) Green, Bethesda, Maryland, Ira Moore, Tucson, Arizona, Tamara L. Rae, Tucson, Arizona, Joseph Douglas, Denver, Colorado, Justin Douglas, Denver, Colorado; and grand nieces and nephews, Shannoah Green, Timothy Green, Veronica Moore, Tavarez Moore and Tanario Moore; as well as Curtis’s sons, Jeffrey (Jaylene) Jackson of Woodbridge, Virginia and Kevin (Christine) Jackson of Orlando, Florida and their families, grandchildren, Jennifer and Brittany Jackson, Tyller and Treazure Jackson, Devin Jackson and great granddaughter, Allanah Frazier.
Due to the current state of COVID/19 pandemic and travel restrictions, the family has made provisions for those who are unable to attend the Homegoing Celebration Services to live stream using the following link: https://postellsmortuary.com/livestream
Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 16, 2020 from 4-6PM at the mortuary. A service of celebration will be held on Friday, July 17, 2020 10:00 AM at Postell’s Mortuary Chapel, Orlando. Interment: Florida National VA Cemetery, Bushnell, FL.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests for donations to be made to:
Orlando Chapter of Chums, Incorporated in honor of Chum Nora Jackson for Scholarships and mailed to:
c/o Gloria Bryant, President Orlando Chapter of Chums, Incorporated
724 Coventry Road
Davenport, Florida 33897
Executive Order in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic… we will only allow 10 individuals in at a time to enter the funeral home. We must adhere to these guidelines so that we all can remain safe and secure during this crisis. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
11 Comments
I miss seeing you pop up every now and then at Mt Calvary missionary Baptist church of Tucson az cousin you always brought a smile to my face love you .R.i.p yours cousin Elton Harris
We are honored to have known Nora and we are shocked and saddened by her passing. We shared a table with her and Curtis on many occasions with our dinner club. It was always an uplifting evening with the sharing of parts of our life’s journeys. We always joked about and had a big laugh about the evening that Curtis and I had our credit cards exchanged and went on for several days racking up charges at the other guy’s expense. Never to be realized by a merchant or the credit card company. It was always our eyebrow lifting and smile connection. We will miss her and pray for Curtis and family as they move forward from this great loss. God bless you.
gg washington and Jacqueline Pitts-Washington
As a child I saw Nora’s beauty, always admired your glow and grace not knowing to what extent God had his plans for her life’s directions untill now as an adult I can see and say to her family thank you for sharing her with us all. Nora I pray for that you can rest peaceful knowing you served the world with blessed grace. Rest in peace.
We met Nora when our cousin, Curtis, brought her to Arkansas. I admired the way in which she embraced us—not as one trying to fit in, but as a member of the family. It was apparent to our family that Nora enjoyed being with us during various family activities, and the feeling was mutual. She will be missed. My heart goes out to Curtis, Nora’s family, and her circle of friends. May the peace of God which surpasses all understanding be with each of you.
The Gossett’s and the Douglas’s became BFF’s around 1957. In the neighborhood of west Mable st And Main in Tucson AZ. I want Nora and her family to know our famfams were Soul mates. to the Parents, Velton, Annie Mae,Nora, Lorenzo, Nate and Ora Lee….MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS US ALL. This message represents what’s in the hearts of my siblings, especially Cecil, Gennell, Ronnie, Mervie, and Eva. Peace and Blessings Nora.
Nora, it was always a pleasure when you came around, you had that burst of energy. Your laugh n smile brighten up the day. I remember whenever I was downtown, I would pop into the courthouse to say hi and just to have a good conversation with you. I admired you. You will be missed.
Love you.
Cousin Rhoda.
I was so blessed to have Nora as my friend. Our relationship began in Tucson at Roosevelt Elementary. She was a bright student who always spoke her mind and that never changed. Over the past 4 years since moving to the Atlanta area I would visit her and Curtis on several occasions. We loved the theme parks, shopping and eating. I will miss my friend. Until we meet again on the other side. Love you always.
Chum Nora Douglas Jackson was a member of the Orlando Chapter of Chums, Incorporated, a woman’s service organization. Chum Nora was an active and beloved member of our sisterhood. She was gracious, fashionable, friendly, and a caring soul. I will personally miss our girl talks and plans for future outings. Rest in heaven Chum sister Nora. Peace and Blessings to Curtis and your family!
I am already missing Nora because when ever we talked on the phone we always had long and good conversations about this and that i was so happy for Nora she always remind me of our Aunt Laura Bell
her laughs was and her looks . for two years Nora ,Glenda and i would meet at the Tucson meet yourself
for my B- Day to eat . she is truly loved and missed.
Nora, no one can replace your contagious smile, kind heart and friendliness that you shared and bestowed upon me. Although, I’m sad to hear of your untimely passing and the fact that I did not get to say goodbye and see your beautiful face one more time, it brings me joy to have gotten to know you and spend great evenings at the Chums events you always invited me to. I will miss the occasional calls you would make and reach out to me to just get together & talk or planning to have a bite to eat one weekend so we could simply catch up and have a girl’s day out like we did a few years ago spending nearly a whole day at Mall of Millennia. Moreover our Sunday school women classes fellowships, and you greeting everyone with a pleasant smile in your volunteer role as a usher / greeter at SBC. These memories will forever be etched in my mind and heart of you! #priceless!
Rest in God my dear friend
Hattie Everett
Rest in Paradise Miss Nora Douglas, you will forever be remembered for that infectious smile and grandiose laughter. ALWAYS dressed to impress. Many prayers and much love to your family.
Add Comment