Helen Elaine Parks Jackson was born January 11, 1943, to the late Mildred Parks and Tommie Lee Wells. Helen attended Willard and Carver Elementary School, Dunbar High School and Kennedy King College School of Cosmetology. She was a longtime community advocate and Chicago Public School employee at Carver High School in Altgeld Gardens.
Helen was a devoted child of Christ, baptized at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Rev. James M. Harvey, and her devotion thrived under the guidance of the late Pastor Wilbur Daniels, followed by current Pastor Dr. Gerald M. Dew. She was a driving force of love as she applied her passionate enthusiasm for God’s purpose. She spent her life helping others, donating time, energy and resources to the Josephine Randolph Circle and volunteering at the Church cafeteria and nursery. Bettering the world also meant assisting her best friend, Pat Clark, with pinning carnations on the Deacons, dedicating herself to the Mourners Row Group, the Senior Citizens Club and The Famous Table #1 Click. This daughter of God loved her Church and her Church Family, serving faithfully for over seventy-five years.
When Helen retired, she enjoyed cultivating cross-generational connections and spending time babysitting children. Her first “Baby” Jasmine couldn’t pronounce the name Helen, and so called her “Hana.” That adorable verbal blunder turned into an honorary nickname worn with pride, as she was affectionately called HANA by all her “Babies,” the younger generations that adored her for the remainder of her life. Most of all, Helen enjoyed LIVING HER BEST LIFE by spending time with her family and traveling, especially to see her Pittsburgh family and visiting with loved ones on her annual trips. Helen was sassy, quick-witted and she ALWAYS had a comeback. Her devotion was to God and family, yet her humorous perspectives about the world were also memorable to all who spent time in her company. She was the source of so much love, laughter and light. On June 14th, 2022, Helen was called from labor to reward. In keeping with the gorgeous life she led, her light now also shines from heaven.   Helen has now joined her parents, Tommie Lee Wells & Mildred Evans; Her son, Hosea Jackson Jr.; Her granddaughter, Takeshia Jackson; Her brother, Gregory Evans; Her sister, Marjorie Parks Hood. Together, they soar in the glorious presence of Christ, guarding and guiding us. Helen is survived by her son Derek (Alfredia) Jackson; Her grandchildren, Darnell Jackson, Marseil (Valencia) Jackson, Darius Smith, Darianna Jackson; Her great-grandchildren D’Mauri Jackson, Logan Smith, and Marseil Jackson Jr.; Her siblings, Kevin Evans, Leanet Evans (Denver, Colorado), Marlene Evans (Atlanta, Georgia), Andrea Evans, Yvette Sapp, and her special sister/cousin Edna Council, of Pittsburgh, PA, along with a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, great nephews, great nieces, Godchildren, and longtime friends. Her life’s course, love and devotion nurtured a beautiful legacy, affirming her goodness and allowing all to cherish her memory.