Clara Broyles Jackson

Clara Josephine Broyles Jackson, loving mother and grandmother, of Kingsport, was born in Sullivan County. She died of complications from a stroke on Saturday, December 1, 2012.

She was married to Woodrow Jackson for 48 years, until his death. She followed him for his basic training in the U.S. Navy to Rhode Island. She then accompanied him to Oxnard, California's Port Hueneme Naval Base prior to his deployment to the South Pacific in WWII. While there, she forged several friendships with other war brides that she cultivated and maintained throughout their lifetimes. After the war, she and Woodrow returned to the Kingsport area where they resided for the remainder of their lives.

Clara had many interests. She operated Jackson's Grocery in Church Hill for 25 years. She was an avid bowler for many years before developing macular degeneration that resulted in her being unable to see well enough to continue that hobby. She was an avid reader as well and listened to countless books on tape after developing vision problems. Refusing to give in to her vision difficulties, she very ably lived at home where she cooked and entertained family and friends. Throughout her life, she loved to travel especially to the beach. Only six weeks ago she was able to visit Myrtle Beach with her daughter and son-in-law. Clara was a member of Horse Creek Freewill Baptist Church but most recently had attended Pleasant View Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Woodrow Jackson; parents, Jim and Florence Broyles; sister, Nellie Light; brother, Otis Carr.

Clara is survived by her daughter, Patsy Simmons and husband, Jim, of Carson City, NV; grandsons, Jim Simmons and wife, Lisa, of Sacramento, CA, Jeff Simmons, of Las Vegas, NV; great-grandchildren, Melina and Alex Simmons; son, Dr. Tony Jackson and wife, Linda, of Church Hill, TN; granddaughters, Dr. Juli Jackson McCary and husband, Preston, of Denver, CO, and Erin Jackson Wallen and husband, Matthew, of Knoxville, TN; several nieces and nephews, including special niece, Sue Cox and special friends, Mary Trent Mowell and Geneva Welch.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, December 4th from 4-6:00 p.m. at Hamlett-Dobson, Kingsport. A funeral service will be held at 6:00 p.m. with Rev. Wayne Baker officiating.

Burial will be Wednesday, December 5th at 11:00 a.m. at Oak Hill Memorial Park.


Special thanks to the care staff at Wellmont Holston Valley and Hospice. Their competence and compassion are truly outstanding.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Macular Degeneration Research, 22512 Gateway Center Dr., P.O. Box 1952, Clarksburg MD 20871.