Connie Mae Vann Jackson

Connie Mae (Vann) Jackson, 86, of Oklahoma City, OK, passed through the veil to the glorious life beyond shortly after midnight on April 19, 2022. She died with grace, dignity, and peace in her home and surrounded by the love of family. Connie was a proud citizen of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, descended from the Vann and Chambers families. She was born on June 1, 1935, to Clem Neele and Vaude (Johnson) Vann in a Phillips Petroleum camp on the edge of the Burbank Field in Webb City, OK. She attended school in Webb City and Shidler, OK, graduating Valedictorian of the Shidler High School Class of 1953. She attended Oklahoma College for Women in Chickasha, OK, on a Phillips Petroleum Scholarship and graduated in three years in 1956 with a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education. She graduated early to marry James Lee Jackson, her high school sweetheart, two weeks after he returned from the army. They married at the Methodist Church in Shidler, OK, on September 1, 1956. Together they raised a loving family and remained devoted in marriage for almost 65 years until Jim's passing in July 2021. Connie began her teaching career in the fall of 1956 in Topeka, KS, in the newly integrated Topeka Schools. She also taught for the Head Start Program, for Wichita Public Schools, for Trinity Episcopal School in Oklahoma City, and for Oklahoma City Public Schools across her 42-year teaching career, teaching mostly kindergarten, first grade, and second grade classes before retiring in 1998. She touched the lives of countless children, laying the foundation for literacy, instilling the joy of learning, and encouraging curiosity and creativity for life. She mentored new teachers and colleagues throughout her career. In addition to her family and career, Connie contributed untold hours to both the Shidler High School and OCW alumni associations, organizing reunions with high school and college friends throughout her life. She was a highly active member of Covenant Presbyterian Church where over the course of decades she led children's music programs, volunteered for Vacation Bible School and the Presbyterian Urban Mission, moderated the Presbyterian Women, facilitated Prayer Circle, sang in the choir, organized a tutoring program for children, and taught the Adult Sunday School class. She loved the word of the Lord and studied it with devotion. Connie was loved by many people who cherished her warm heart and gentle spirit, her bright eyes and eager smile, her unending optimism and enduring enthusiasm, her abundant humor and joyous hugs. She took great delight in her children, encouraging their talents, emboldening their independence, heralding their achievements, and loving them unconditionally. She treasured each and every moment with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Connie enjoyed simple pleasures: playing the piano, sewing, painting, crocheting, traveling, reading, researching Cherokee culture, charting family genealogy, and being of service to others. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and her brothers, Clem Neele Vann II of Shidler, OK, Joe Wayne Vann of Houston, TX, and Wesley Lee Vann of Blackwell, OK. She is survived by her sister, Dorothy Marie (Vann) Rhoten of Claremore, OK, and her children: Lee Neele Jackson and his wife Dee of Coalgate, OK; Vann Paul Jackson and his wife Cyndi of Broken Arrow, OK; and her daughter Rachel Constance Jackson of Oklahoma City, OK. She leaves four surviving grandchildren - Jonathan Lee Jackson and his wife Linsay of Oklahoma City, Joni LeeAnn Foster of Coalgate, OK, Haleigh Brooke Wisotsky and her husband Emerson of Jenks, OK, and Shelby Ann Jackson of Oakland, CA. She also leaves two great grandsons – Treyvin Lee Foster and Wyatt Odin Wisotsky. Her loving kindness, humility, grace, and strength endure in the hearts of many.Viewing and visitation will be held at Smith & Kernke, 14624 N. May Ave., OKC, from 2 – 6 p.m. on Sunday, April 24th. The funeral service will be held at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 10100 Ridgeview Dr., OKC, 73120, at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, April 25th. The graveside service will be held at Grandview Cemetery in Kaw City, OK, at 4:00 p.m. on Monday, April 25th. Flowers may be sent to Smith & Kernke or to Covenant Presbyterian. In lieu of flowers, donations may made to the Indian Nations Presbyterian Women, earmarked for the college scholarship fund, and sent to Covenant Presbyterian Church in care of Pam Rogers.