Nona Jackson Obituary (1924 - 2014)

Nona, or Em as family and friends called her, was one of fourteen children born to the late Nona Dennis and Louis Rideout. She was educated in the public schools of Dorchester County. At an early age Em went to work in the sewing factories in the county. In her early 40s, she enrolled in a nursing program at the then Eastern Shore State Hospital. After certification as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) she worked at several state hospitals including the Eastern Shore State Hospital before it closed. Her most rewarding work was to be found at the Holly Center and Mallard Bay Care Center. By choice Em worked into her 80s and clearly demonstrated that when you like your work going to work is a pleasure not a chore. Em’s passions were her church, family, shopping, reading and travel. Her son in-law still marvels at how she could shop the malls all day, come home sometime with nothing, but echoed how she had a good time. More often than not she came home with something as somebody always seemed to have a SALE. Being an Eastern Star was also a huge passion as she looked forward to attending their annual dance and other functions. She enjoyed her time served as Worthy Matron very much. Often times she would visit Jeannie and her son in-law but when Saturday arrived it was time to go home as she could not miss her church. She also loved to take cruises especially to the Caribbean. Em really enjoyed her travels with the Silver Leaf Senior Club. They went everywhere including several trips to the maritime region in Canada. She visited Alaska, Jamaica, West Indies, Bogata, Columbia South America, Quito Ecuador South America and extensive travel through out the middle and eastern US. Em was a great passenger for long distance trips, such as the numerous trips to south Florida. She rarely went to sleep and would make sure the driver was alright during these 17/18 hour trips generally by car. Em was preceded in death by her husband Wilmer, ten brothers, Howard, Linwood, Louis Jr. “Boots”, Rueben, Milton, Oliver, William, Leroy “Kitty”, Jennis and Cleophas, three sisters, Mary Elizabeth, Helen and Lula and a close friend, Emery Crockett. She leaves to cherish her wonderful memory, two daughter, Gloria Jean Matthews (Levin) and Brenda Rose Dix; a son, Jeffery; two grandsons, Dennis and Donte’; two granddaughters, Maya and Brittany; a sister, Ruth Rideout and a host of great grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends; an adopted son whom she claimed as her own, Mark Fletcher and a special friend, Orville Smullen. Interment in Reids Grove Cemetery, Reids Grove, Maryland.