Lula S. (Lonzer) Jackson

Life’s Reflections

Lula S. Jackson, age 100 departed her earthly life on Thursday, August 16, 2018 at Riverbend Rehabilitation Center, Kansas City, Kansas, with daughter Lillie at her side. Even though her mother wanted twelve children, Lula was the only child born to George Edward Lonzer and Mary Perkins, on December 21, 1917 in Somerville, Texas.  Lula grew up in Somerville and moved to Lubbock after marrying Lee Willis. To this union 3 children were born; Willie (deceased), Nancy and Lillie.

Upon her marriage to Willie being dissolved, she moved to Fort Worth where she married Booker T. Stephens.  She remained there until marrying Herman Jackson and moving to Kansas City, Kansas where she remained until her passing.  In 1958 Lula and Herman adopted 3-month-old, William Anthony Jackson.

Lula accepted Christ approximately 90 years ago.  In Fort Worth the family worshipped at Mt. Rose Baptist Church. She was raised Baptist and continued in that vein after moving to Kansas City when she joined Olivet, Oakridge and New Hope. The latter two under Rev. Moses Williams. Eventually she converted to Catholicism becoming a member of Christ the King and eventually Blessed Sacrament until her health began to fail.

Lula started her professional career as an office manager/bookkeeper for Excelsior Life Insurance Company located above Bakers Funeral Home in Fort Worth.  She worked for Standard Brand Egg Company in Kansas City, Missouri for approximately 7 years. Lula loved to cook and did so professionally by working for a Jewish Rabbi and his family for about 4 years and finally at St. Augustine Monastery off Parallel here in Kansas City, Kansas. She started as a temporary employee to cover her mother’s two-week vacation. She eventually retired after 25 years of faithful service as head cook. In 1986 she received a letter from the head of the Augustinian houses in West Orange, New Jersey Provincial where Father Frances Puilso made her an honorary member of the Augustinian family.  She was honored during a ceremony at the cathedral here in Kansas City, Kansas in front of 600 guests.  At age 75 she went on to serve 8 years at Welborn Elementary School and an additional year at Wyandotte Mental Health Center as a foster grandparent. As Lula began to age she moved both her mother and grandmother, Susana Lynn, here to Kansas City to make taking care of them easier on her.  Her mother lived to be 97 years old and her grandmother lived to be 113 years old. At one time they each had separate apartments in Westgate Towers, the high rise at 61st and Leavenworth Road.

Lula was an avid baseball fan in general but an avid Royals fan in particular.  Her passion was to see them in person or listen to them on the radio.  Television, not so much.  She was also a Kansas City Chiefs fan.  She travelled extensively around the U.S. to Boston, California, New York and Wisconsin, also to Canada.  Most of her travel was with her special traveling companion Sister Margaret Gier who now resides in Wyoming, Michigan. She also traveled with other friends like Eglon McQuerry. Lula lived a full, Godly and treasured life. 

Lula is survived by her daughters: Nancy Clemons, Amarillo, Texas and Lillie Elder, Kansas City, Kansas, Son: William Jackson, Kansas City, Kansas, Grandchildren:  Bobby (Lisa) Clemons, (2 children/1 grandchild), Austin, Texas, Diane (Bruce) Scott, (daughter-Tiffany/3 children, son-Bryan/3 children), Austin, Texas, Lance Clemons, (7 children/2 grandchildren), Amarillo, Texas, Curtis (Davida) Turner, Greenwood, Missouri, Kevin Watson, Shawnee, Oklahoma, Wendell (Angela) Watson, Weston, Florida, Tyesha Jackson, (1 child), Overland Park, Kansas, Tausha Jackson (3 children), Kansas City, Kansas, Great-Grandchildren: Curtis Turner Jr, Gavin Turner, Kevin Watson Jr, Pamela Watson, Justice Turner, Schyler Turner, Taylor Watson, Nathan Watson. Great-Great Granddaughter: Amare’ Irvin, a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.

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