- Date Of Birth: December 11, 1941
- Date Of Death: May 5, 2020
- State: Georgia
The often-quoted evangelist Charles Spourgeon once wrote that “to be known of good character is better than any phrase on a tombstone”. Katie Raye Lawson Jackson probably never heard that quoted but this dear saint of God covered a lot of miles in a lot of different places, but everywhere she called home, she left a treasure trove of beautiful memories for her friends and family. Katie was born December 11, 1941 in Cleveland, Tennessee and was the daughter of the late Raymond J. and Catherine Bean Lawson. Katie graduated from Bradley Central High School and later, The College of Business and Accounting in her hometown of Cleveland. She later relocated to Atlanta when she joined the workforce at Oxford Industries. Lee Jackson was walking through the secretarial pool one day and a beautiful blue-eyed girl caught his eye. They became an item and were married at North Druid Hills Methodist Church. Lee’s hometown was Newnan and International Playtex was expanding the production at their busy Newnan location. Lee took advantage of an opportunity and relocated. Lee would work for Playtex for 20 more years and during the course of his time Katie would supervise their moves to whatever place in the world Lee was needed. Tragedy would strike Lee and Katie’s life in the loss of their beloved son, Wesley. The decision was made to move back to familiar ground and roots in Newnan. Katie threw herself into the life of First Baptist Church. She bonded with the ladies of the “Love” Sunday School Class. A compassionate heart made her a natural for the bereavement committee, the telephone prayer chain, and as a docent for the prayer center. Wherever a calm and sustaining spirit was needed, she made herself available. She had a calling to help people and got involved in the cancer support group at First Baptist Newnan. Outside of her church family, she connected with a ladies’ group known as “The Buds” which afforded many happy hours around a bridge table. She would recall that time as being therapy for her! Katie’s humble spirit would never want attention called to whatever project in which she might be involved, but her life speaks for her amazing servant spirit and her unfailing desire to be where the God she loved and served might place her. Surviving Katie is her deeply devoted husband who has stood firmly by her during her dementia illness, Philip Lee Jackson. She was the exemplary spirit of devotion and care for her children, Kimberly Jackson Magee and her husband Doug, Bryan Jackson and his wife Robin. She adored and was deeply loved by her grandchildren Matthew, Michael, Lee, Lainey Kate, Ashi and Austin. And her one and only great grandchild, Waylon Slade. Katie is also survived by a sister and her best friend, Trudy (and husband Bob) Zothner.
