VIRGINIA SMITH JACKSON

Virginia Smith "Jenny" Jackson, 88, beloved wife of the late Van Hugh "Buck" Jackson, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, May 23, 2023.

She was born on Aug. 13, 1934, at home in Hallsboro, North Carolina, to the late Thomas Clayton Smith and Betty Merle Needham Smith. She was the seventh of 10 children. Jenny was raised in the Methodist Home for Children in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she graduated high school.

While living in Sumter with her sister, Rachel Hill, she met the love of her life, Buck, at "The Barefoot" lake house at Santee. Her journey in knowing the Lord began with her walks to Grace Baptist Church, where her relationship with Buck continued to grow along with other lifelong friendships. Buck and Jenny were married for 66 years and had four children. Jenny was a longtime devoted member of Harmony Church, where she touched many people with her servant heart. She retired from the Sumter public school system.

Jenny was predeceased by her siblings, Rachel Tolleson, Betty Yow, Kay Vercuski, Vera Ukleja, Andy Young, Sarah Smith and Jane Poteat.

Jenny is survived by her sister, Evelyn Callahan-Cates; her brother, Jimmy Smith; her children, Van Hugh Jackson Jr., Melanie Hancock (Dan), Kim Galloway (Bobby) and Jennifer Settle (Robert); her grandchildren, Jeremy Touchstone, Nic Touchstone, Lauren Galloway, Caroline Hancock, Brenden Touchstone, Clay Galloway, Sarah Hancock Skinner, Katherine Hancock, Will Hancock, Christopher Galloway, Court Settle, Van Hugh Jackson III, Jackson Settle and Stewart Settle; her four great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Jenny blessed her family and friends with her sacrificial love and gracious gift of hospitality. Praise the Lord for the legacy she leaves behind and the eternity she goes on to live.

The family will receive friends from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Monday at her home, 2755 Widgeon Way, Sumter.

A celebration of Jenny's life will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday in the Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. Ron Richardson and the Rev. Drew Choate officiating. Burial will be in the Sumter Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Samaritan's Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607 and Methodist Home for Children, 1041 Washington St., Raleigh, NC 27605.

Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter is in charge of the arrangements.